Michael B. Jordan was reportedly left ‘disgusted’ after a racial slur was shouted from the audience while he and costar Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards.
The shocking outburst came from John Davidson MBE, a guest who has Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that causes involuntary verbal tics.
Hours after the incident that blindsided both men, insiders told the Daily Mail that organizers were sent into a desperate scramble backstage.
‘Delroy and Michael, like everyone else, didn’t expect what happened to happen,’ a source told Daily Mail. ‘In the moment, they didn’t know what was happening, and they have since talked about it with each other, and they both agreed they did the right thing and didn’t address it, didn’t give it any life more than it ended up turning into.’
The insider added that the actors were determined to stay focused on why they were there.
‘They were there to do a job, to celebrate, and they did that. It is very unfortunate with the fallout, but they both are hoping that this can be a teachable moment.’
‘They both don’t want this to hinder the rest of award season and potential future wins for Sinners,’ the source stressed. ‘They know that they will have to address it and will be asked about it over and over.’
Still, they are said to be ‘looking to have a conversation with John’ and finding a way for the moment to ‘unite us rather than to continue to divide us.’
A second source, however, claimed that the situation worsened behind the scenes.
‘Organizers spent the entire evening trying to convince Michael and Lindo that the outburst wasn’t offensive, but they were disgusted, both at what was said and the efforts to convince viewers it was just an ‘outburst,’ the source claimed.
‘It ruined the night and people close to them wonder if Alan [Cumming] would have been as understanding if John’s outburst had included a slur directed at him.’
The insider alleged that multiple industry figures attempted to downplay the incident backstage.
‘Some of the Studio Canal people tried to explain it away to Michael, Lindo and Wumni backstage but they weren’t interested. It really isn’t acceptable. The BBC managed to erase any messages related to Palestine out of the transmission but this was somehow kept in. The whole thing is a shambles.’
There are also concerns about the wider fallout for Sony, which has picked up the international rights for I Swear.
‘The big concern for Sony will be that Sinners just made $370 million at the box office, and Sony now has to sell a biopic in the US about a man who just called its two lead actors the N-word on national television during American Black History Month,’ the source said.
According to those close to the situation, the BBC has since issued a direct apology to Jordan and members of the cast and crew.
‘The BBC spoke to Michael and the crew today and apologized for letting it air and wanted to stress that they don’t believe John had ill-intent,’ the source said. ‘Michael accepted the apology but people around him are not completely convinced that the comment didn’t have any racist undertones.’
The insider added: ‘They have not heard from John, but Robert has been in touch. No one spoke to them before Alan was sent out to apologize. The audience received an apology before they did which they didn’t appreciate.’
Despite the anger, sources insist both Jordan and Lindo want to move forward constructively.
‘They both don’t want this to hinder the rest of award season and potential future wins for Sinners,’ the source said. ‘They know that they will have to address it and will be asked about it over and over, and they will, but they are also looking to have a conversation with John Davidson. Again they want this to be a teachable moment and maybe a moment that can unite us rather than to continue to divide us.’
Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Jordan, Davidson, Lindo, the BBC, Studio Canal and Cumming for comment.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, BAFTA acknowledged the ‘very offensive language’ heard during Sunday night’s ceremony, saying it ‘carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many’ and apologizing ‘unreservedly to all those impacted.’
The organization confirmed the outburst came from guest Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, a condition that causes ‘involuntary verbal tics’ which are ‘in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional.’
BAFTA said it had taken steps to warn attendees that Davidson was in the room and that they ‘may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony,’ but admitted that ‘a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard’ while Jordan and Lindo were on stage.
‘Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologize unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism,’ the statement read.
BAFTA also confirmed Davidson ‘chose to leave the auditorium’ during the ceremony, saying it took ‘full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation’ and vowed to ‘learn from this’ while keeping inclusion ‘at the core of all we do.’
Davidson also released a statement, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, addressing his outburst.
‘I can only add that I am and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning,’ Davidson began. ‘I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.’
He continued: ‘I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.’
‘I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome. I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing,’ he concluded.