The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has issued a formal apology to Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo after the actors were subjected to racial slurs during the awards ceremony on February 22.
Jordan and Lindo were on stage to present the evening’s first accolade for Best Visual Effects when verbal abuse was heard from the audience. The insults were inadvertently shouted by John Davidson, a Scottish activist living with Tourette’s syndrome. Davidson’s life story is the inspiration behind the drama I Swear, which secured two BAFTA trophies that evening, including a Best Actor win for Robert Aramayo.
In an official statement, BAFTA accepted full accountability for the incident and commended Jordan and Lindo for their “dignity and professionalism” in the face of the disruption. The BBC also extended an apology for the lapse in live broadcast censorship; the offensive remarks have since been removed from the ceremony’s recorded version.
Davidson personally reached out to the Sinners production team to express his regret, stating he was “deeply distraught” by what had transpired. Despite the controversy, Sinners enjoyed a successful night, walking away with three BAFTA awards, including Best Original Screenplay. The film continues its momentum after receiving a record-breaking 16 Academy Award nominations earlier this January.
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