Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler claims that John Davidson hurled the n-word three times during the BAFTAs, not just during the televised broadcast.
In one instance, Davidson, who has Tourette’s syndrome, shouted the word while Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for Special Visual Effects Award. Davidson is the subject of biopic I Swear, which won three awards during the ceremony.
Davidson received backlash following the incident, with entertainers like Jamie Foxx scolding him for using the expletive. Alan Cummings, who hosted the Sunday (February 22) event told attendees several times that they may hear “strong language” by Davidson throughout the course of the ceremony.” This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience,” the entertainer said. “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Following the occasion, Beachler tweeted that Davidson had an outburst “3 times that night,” which possibly meant that he used the n-word repeatedly.
“And one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show,” she tweeted.
“And a third time at a Black woman. I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation,” Beachler continued. “I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of "if you were offended.”
Beachler added that “of course we were offended,” but the film’s cast and crew were “tuned to a higher level than what happened.”
“I am not [steel], this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can't take away from who I am as an artist,” she concluded.
Jordan and Lindo did their best to ignore Davidson’s outburst while onstage, but Lindo addressed the racial slur being used in an interview with Vanity Fair. The veteran actor said he and Jordan “did what we had to do” but wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.”