BAFTAs 2026 Backlash: Jamie Foxx Condemns John Davidson’s Racial Slur
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx criticized Tourette’s activist John Davidson after he shouted a racial slur during the BAFTA Awards 2026, while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award on Sunday.
Foxx, 58, shared his reaction on Instagram, calling the incident “unacceptable.”
“nah he meant that s–t,” the actor wrote. “Out of all the words, you could’ve said Tourette’s makes you say that?”
The clip quickly sparked outrage online, fueling a broader BAFTAs backlash over the controversial moment.
Jamie Foxx (pictured at the 2026 Grammy Awards) reacts to Tourette’s activist John Davidson shouting racial slur at the BAFTA
Jamie Foxx Condemns John Davidson’s Racial Slur at BAFTAs 2026
Jamie Foxx (seen above at a Super Bowl 2026 party) called the incident “unacceptable” after Tourette’s activist John Davidson hurled the N-word during the BAFTA Awards 2026.
The outburst occurred while Michael B. Jordan, 39, and Delroy Lindo, 73, were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash on Sunday.
BAFTAs host Alan Cumming addressed the incident, which was not edited out of the BBC One broadcast.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people, as the film explores that experience,” Cumming told the audience.
Jamie Foxx responded to the BAFTAs controversy on Instagram, as pictured above
BAFTAs 2026 Controversy: Jamie Foxx Reacts to John Davidson’s Racial Slur
Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award at the BAFTA Awards 2026 when Tourette’s activist John Davidson hurled the N-word, sparking widespread backlash.
BAFTAs host Alan Cumming, 61, addressed the incident, emphasizing that “Tourette’s syndrome is a disability” and that “the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary.” He added, “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
The BBC also issued an apology, stating, “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional.”
Stars Speak Out on John Davidson’s Racial Slur at BAFTAs 2026
John Davidson (seen above at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards) shouted the N-word from the audience, prompting reactions from several Hollywood figures.
Among those speaking out were “Sinners” production designer Hannah Beachler and “The Wire” alum Wendell Pierce.
Beachler shared on X after the ceremony, “The situation is almost impossible, but it happened three times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.”
She added, “I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throwaway apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show. Of course we were offended.”
Alan Cumming emphasized that “Tourette’s syndrome is a disability” in response to the incident.
Meanwhile, Wendell Pierce, 62, described the situation as “infuriating,” criticizing that the “first reactions” from those involved were not “complete and full-throated apologies” to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
“The insult to them takes priority,” Pierce added. “It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur.”
Page Six has reached out to representatives for Jordan and Lindo for comment.
