All posts tagged: John Davidson

BAFTA Review Finds “Weaknesses” in Planning Before Tourette’s Fiasco

BAFTA Review Finds “Weaknesses” in Planning Before Tourette’s Fiasco

Published by Daniella Wilson

An independent review of the BAFTA Film Awards has found a “number of structural weaknesses” in planning, escalation procedures, and crisis coordination before John Davidson‘s Tourette’s outburst. Davidson, an executive producer on the BAFTA-winning I Swear, dominated headlines for weeks after involuntarily shouting the N-word as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects at the 79th British Academy Film Awards on Feb. 22. A review, commissioned by the BAFTA board and carried out by RISE Associates, was ordered to determine what happened and what must change, and identified “a number of structural weaknesses” across the British Academy’s planning and crisis management. “However,” said a note from the BAFTA board sent to The Hollywood Reporter on Friday, “it did not find evidence of malicious intent on thepart of those involved in delivering the event. We accept its conclusions in full.” The board continued: “We apologize unreservedly to the Black community, for whom the racist language used carries real pain, brutality, and trauma; to the disability community, including people with Tourette …

Tourette’s Campaigner Addresses Baftas N-Word Tic Incident A Week Later

Tourette’s Campaigner Addresses Baftas N-Word Tic Incident A Week Later

Published by Sam Flores

Last month, John attended the awards show with the cast and crew of I Swear, a film inspired by his life story and experiences of living with Tourette’s. During the event, he experienced a number of involuntary tics, one of which occurred while Sinners actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage, resulting in him shouting the N-word from the audience. In the last week, the incident has sparked a wave of headlines, with the BBC in particular facing scrutiny over how the uncensored slur ended up being included in the broadcaster’s Baftas coverage, which aired on a two-hour delay. On Sunday, a week after the Baftas, John shared a message on his public Facebook page, claiming he’d been “waiting all week until the dust settles” to speak out. “I would like to thank each and every one of you who have shown love, support and solidarity towards myself and the rest of the Tourette’s community,” he began. “Your kind words and support have got me through a very difficult week. “Whilst …

John Davidson Intends To ‘Apologise Directly’ To Sinners Actors After N-Word Tic

John Davidson Intends To ‘Apologise Directly’ To Sinners Actors After N-Word Tic

Published by Sam Flores

Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson has given his first full interview since this year’s Baftas. On Sunday night, John attended the awards show with the cast and crew of I Swear, the award-winning drama inspired by his life story. During the BBC’s coverage of the Baftas, he was heard experiencing an involuntary tic while Sinners stars Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented an award from the stage, resulting in him shouting the N-word. On Tuesday evening, Variety said that John’s team had confirmed to them that he has reached out to Sinners’ production company to “directly apologise” to the actors, as well as production designer Hannah Beachler, who shared after the event that he had used the same slur while experiencing an involuntary tic in her presence. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presenting at the 2026 Baftas Tristan Fewings via Getty Images for BAFTA In his accompanying interview, John said: “I want people to know and understand that my tics have absolutely nothing to do with what I think, feel or believe. It’s an …

BAFTAs Brought Painful Reminder for Tourette Syndrome Community

BAFTAs Brought Painful Reminder for Tourette Syndrome Community

Published by Daniella Wilson

When the advocate Jess Thom heard about a person with Tourette’s “ticcing” the BAFTAs, she had a familiar feeling: dread. Thom has Tourette Syndrome and when she got word of what happened with John Davidson, it brought to the surface many of the misunderstandings and confused reactions she has spent her life trying to fight. “There are a lot of myths and oversimplifications about Tourette Syndrome, and a global frenzy is not the best place to have a conversation about them,” the U.K.-based Thom, 45, said by Zoom from her home Monday evening as she reflected on the events. “And it’s all happening in a climate with increased hostility to disabled people, with threats to Medicaid and the ADA.” Davidson at the ceremony engaged in “ticcing,” the term for when people who have Tourette Syndrome, or TS, involuntarily say or do something that can have the effect of making others uncomfortable. In this case, the executive producer and inspiration for the Tourette’s-focused winner, I Swear, called out a series of curses and insults, as well as a racial …