John Davidson Issues Statement On BAFTA Racial Slur

Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson has issued a statement after his racial slur at the BAFTA Film Awards dominated the aftermath of the ceremony. Read the statement in full below.

In a statement released this afternoon, Davidson said he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”

“I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which, more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits, and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome,” Davidson’s statement read.

“I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness, and understanding from others, and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”

Davidson, who is the subject of the movie I Swear, could be heard shouting various expletives throughout the ceremony due to his Tourette’s, and shouted the N-word when Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award at the start of the night. He subsequently left the auditorium.

The fallout has been major, with the BBC criticized for leaving up a version of the ceremony on iPlayer in which the racial slur was audible for 15 hours before it was taken down. We have just analyzed how the BBC missed the slur and was so slow to respond. BAFTA published a statement moments ago. You can read that here.

Davidson’s expletives have dominated what should have been a terrific night for Studiocanal’s I Swear, which pulled a surprise in the shape of Robert Aramayo winning best actor over the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.

Davidson has campaigned for rights for people with Tourette Syndrome for decades. The BBC met prior to the BAFTAs to discuss what might happen were he to swear during the broadcast. Lindo told Vanity Fair he wishes a representative for the awards body had reached out to him and Jordan after the word was shouted. Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler, meanwhile, criticized host Alan Cumming’s on-stage apology.

Davidson’s statement today was published alongside a statement by Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action. McNally wrote in her statement, “it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.”

“People with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards. These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourette’s – lives with every single day.”

McNally continued to criticize the media’s response to the incident. You can read her statement below alongside Davidson’s.

John Davidson Statement:

I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast. I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me. In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA,  I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I SWEAR, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome. I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.

Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action:
We are incredibly proud of John and everyone involved in I Swear following last night’s BAFTA Awards. The film has already raised so much awareness about Tourette syndrome and the daily reality faced by those living with the condition. The impact it has had on audiences, families, and those within the Tourettes community is huge, and we could not be more grateful for the support the film continues to receive.

However, we also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John’s involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony. We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.

People with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards. These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourette’s – lives with every single day.

The backlash from certain parts of the media has been extremely saddening, particularly given how hard John works to raise awareness and understanding. What should have been a night of celebration for him became overwhelming, and he made the difficult decision to leave the ceremony. This moment reflects exactly what I Swear shows so openly: the isolation, misunderstanding, and emotional weight that so often accompany this condition. People with Tourette’s manage their physical and social environments and symptoms on a constant basis. The price of being misunderstood is increased isolation, risk of anxiety and depression and death by suicide.

We hope that those commenting will take the time to watch the film, learn about Tourette’s, and understand the experiences behind moments like these. Education is key, and compassion makes a world of difference.

Thanks
Emma McNally
Chief Executive Officer