An Academy Award-winning production designer reports that John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette’s syndrome awareness, used a racial slur against her at the BAFTA awards on Sunday. He also reportedly directed the same offensive language toward actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
Hannah Beachler, the first African American to win an Academy Award for Production Design (for Black Panther in 2018), commented on X (formerly Twitter) after videos surfaced on Sunday showing Pete Davidson having a public emotional moment.
During a performance in London on Sunday night, someone in the audience yelled a racial slur at actors Jordan and Lindo while they were on stage, and microphones captured the offensive language.
Hannah Beachler shared on X (formerly Twitter) that she’s struggling to articulate her experience at the BAFTAs, saying she’s having trouble finding the right words.
It seemed incredibly unlikely, but this happened three times that night, and once, it happened to me as I was walking to dinner after the performance.
Beachler stated that Davidson also yelled at another Black woman, and while she understood the awkwardness of the situation, she felt the apology given by awards show host Alan Cumming was inadequate.
She said, “While we need to respond with composure and keep moving forward, the ‘if you were offended’ apology at the end of the show only made things worse.”
We were definitely hurt, but we’re focused on maintaining a positive energy and not letting the situation affect us. It didn’t diminish my self-worth or impact my work as an artist. I’m choosing to rise above it.
A video of Pete Davidson unintentionally saying a racial slur during a conversation with Jordan and Lindo quickly spread online. Alan Cumming then expressed gratitude to viewers for their patience and understanding, explaining Davidson has Tourette’s syndrome.
Pete Davidson attended the awards show because he’s featured in the nominated film, I Swear. The movie tells the story of a disability rights advocate who was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome when the condition wasn’t well understood.
He seemed to have left the event midway through, likely because his disruptive behavior stopped being audible.
Variety reports that John chose to leave the BAFTA ceremony himself and wasn’t asked to do so. A source confirmed to the publication that he was a guest and would never have been asked to leave.
Jordan and Lindo didn’t respond to the comment, but Alan Cumming later spoke to the audience at London’s Royal Festival Hall and apologized for the inappropriate language used.
Alan responded to the strong language some people heard by explaining that it reflects the experience of someone with Tourette syndrome, as depicted in the film ‘I Swear’.
Tourette syndrome is a disability that causes involuntary tics – sudden, repetitive movements or sounds. People with Tourette’s can’t control these tics, and we apologize if anything expressed tonight was unintentionally offensive.
Around one in 100 children experiences a neurological condition that causes involuntary tics – repetitive sounds or movements, according to NHS England.
Davidson previously received an MBE in recognition of his long-standing dedication to raising awareness of the condition.
John fondly remembers receiving his MBE as the proudest moment of his life, but also recounted a bizarre incident that day. Despite the honor, he felt an overwhelming urge to jokingly tell the police officers at Holyrood Palace – while they were routinely checking his car – that he had a bomb, and even swore at the Queen.
The film I Swear tells the story of the activist’s life, with Robert Aramayo playing him as a young man growing up in Glasgow and receiving his first Tourette’s syndrome diagnosis.
The film was nominated in the Outstanding British Film category, but lost out to Hamnet.
Aramayo surprisingly won the award for Best Actor, despite strong competition from favorites Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.
He also won the EE Rising Star Award, the only public-voted accolade of the night.
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2026-02-23 16:48