Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce have joined the backlash against John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome activist whose involuntary outbursts at the Bafta film awards included the N-word. Davidson, whose film I Swear was nominated, shouted during the ceremony while actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting.
Foxx called the incident 'unacceptable' on social media, adding 'Nah he meant that shit'. Pierce said it was 'infuriating that the first reaction wasn't complete and full-throated apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan'. Journalist Jemele Hill wrote: 'Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don't feel bad'.
Production designer Hannah Beachler, who worked on Sinners, said she also had a racial slur directed at her and criticised Bafta's apology as 'throwaway'. Host Alan Cumming had explained during the ceremony that Davidson's tics were involuntary, apologising 'if you are offended'.
A BBC spokesperson apologised for the language, noting it arose from involuntary tics associated with Tourette syndrome. Davidson said he was 'deeply mortified' if anyone considered his tics intentional, adding he left the auditorium early due to the distress they caused.
