Inside Michael B. Jordan’s ‘disgusted’ reaction to shocking BAFTAs N-word slur as insiders scramble to contain fallout

Michael B. Jordan was reportedly ‘disgusted’ after receiving a racial slur from the audience while he and co-star Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards.

The shocking outburst came from John Davidson MBE, a guest with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that causes involuntary verbal tics.

Hours after the incident, which caught both men by surprise, insiders told the Daily Mail that organizers were sent into a desperate struggle behind the scenes.

“Delroy and Michael, like everyone else, did not expect what happened to happen,” a source told the Daily Mail. ‘They didn’t know what it was at the time and they’ve talked to each other about it since and they both agreed they did the right thing and didn’t address it, didn’t give it more of a life than it had become.’

The insider added that the players were determined to focus on why they were there.

‘They were there to do a job, to celebrate, and they did it. The consequences of this are very unfortunate, but they both hope this can be a teachable moment.’

“Neither of them want this to hinder the rest of awards season and the Sinners’ potential future victories,” the source emphasized. ‘They know they need to address this issue and will be asked about it repeatedly.’

However, they are said to ‘want to have a chat with John’ and have found a way to ‘unite us instead of continuing to divide us’ for now.

But a second source claimed the situation was getting worse behind the scenes.

“The organizers spent the entire evening trying to convince Michael and Lindo that the explosion was not offensive, but they were disgusted by both what was said and their efforts to convince the audience that it was just an ‘explosion,'” the source said. he said.

‘He ruined the night and people close to them are wondering if Alan [Cumming] He would have been just as understanding if John’s outburst had included an insult towards him.’

An insider claimed that many industry figures tried to downplay the incident behind the scenes.

‘Some Studio Canal staff tried to explain this to Michael, Lindo and Wumni backstage but they weren’t interested. It’s really not acceptable. The BBC managed to delete any message about Palestine from the air, but it was somehow hidden. ‘Everything’s a mess.’

There are also concerns that the studio behind Sinners, which has already grossed $370 million at the global box office, will have a wider impact.

“The biggest worry for Sony will be if Sinners makes $370 million at the box office and Sony will now have to sell in the US a biopic of a man who called his two leads the N-word on national television during American Black History Month,” the source said.

Insiders told the Daily Mail that organizers scrambled behind the scenes to convince the players that the moment was ‘not offensive’, as they made a conscious decision not to publicly react at the time.

“Delroy and Michael, like everyone else, did not expect what happened to happen,” a source told the Daily Mail. ‘They didn’t know what happened at that moment’

The BBC has since apologized directly to Jordan, the cast and crew, according to those close to the situation.

“The BBC spoke to Michael and his team today and apologized for allowing the broadcast and wanted to emphasize that they did not believe John had malicious intent,” the source said. ‘Michael accepted the apology but people around him were not fully convinced that the comment did not contain any racist undertones.’

The insider added: ‘They haven’t heard from John but Robert has been in contact. No one spoke to them before Alan was sent to apologize. The audience received an apology before they did it, which they didn’t appreciate.’

Despite the anger, sources insist both Jordan and Lindo want to move forward constructively.

‘Neither of them want this to hinder the rest of awards season and the Sinners’ potential future triumphs,’ the source said. ‘They know they need to address this issue and will be asked about it repeatedly, and they will, but they also want to speak to John Davidson. Again, they want this to be a teachable moment and a moment that can unite us rather than continue to divide us.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Jordan, Davidson, Lindo, BBC, Studio Canal and Cumming for comment.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, BAFTA acknowledged the ‘very offensive language’ heard during Sunday night’s ceremony, saying it ‘carries unparalleled trauma and pain for so many people’ and apologized ‘unreservedly to everyone affected’.

John Davidson, who suffers from Tourette syndrome, involuntarily shouted the N-word at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday night; Seen above on February 22

The outlet confirmed that the outburst came from guest Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, a condition that causes ‘involuntary verbal tics’ that “in no way reflect the individual’s beliefs and are not intentional.”

BAFTA said it had taken steps to warn attendees that Davidson was in the room and that they “may hear strong language, involuntary sounds or movements during the ceremony”, but acknowledged that “a loud ticking noise in the form of a highly offensive term was heard” while Jordan and Lindo were on stage.

‘Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time and we unreservedly apologize to them and anyone affected. “We want to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism,” the statement said.

BAFTA also confirmed that Davidson ‘chose to leave the auditorium’ during the ceremony and said he ‘takes full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation’ and promised to ‘learn from this’ while keeping participation ‘at the heart of everything we do’.

Davidson also released a statement in which he shared that he was ‘deeply embarrassed’ by his ‘involuntary tics’.

Davidson also released a statement. Hollywood Reporterrefers to his outburst.

“I must add that I am deeply ashamed and always sorry if anyone thinks my involuntary tics are intentional or have any meaning,” Davidson began. ‘I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved at last night’s awards ceremony for their support, understanding and inviting me to the broadcast.’

He continued: ‘I appreciated the announcement made to the auditorium before the recording, warning everyone that my tics were involuntary and not a reflection of my personal beliefs. ‘I was encouraged by the applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would otherwise have been impossible for me.’

‘I was there to celebrate the film of my life, which explains the origins, condition, characteristics and symptoms of Tourette Syndrome more than any film or TV documentary. I have spent my life supporting and strengthening the Tourette community and teaching others empathy, kindness, and understanding, and I will continue to do so. “Aware of the distress my tics caused, I chose to leave the auditorium early until the ceremony,” he concluded.