Jamie Foxx Comments on Tourette’s Activist John Davidson BAFTA Controversial Statement

At the 2026 awards ceremony hosted by BAFTA, controversy overshadowed part of the evening after comments and reactions connected to Tourette’s activist John Davidson. Davidson attended the event following the release of the film I Swear, which was inspired by his experiences living with Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition that can produce involuntary vocal and motor tics.

During the live broadcast, Davidson experienced several tic episodes that were visible and audible to the audience. One of the vocal tics included the accidental utterance of a racial slur, the N-word, which was broadcast during the ceremony. The incident occurred while actors were presenting onstage, and the clip was widely shared online after the broadcast.

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Actor Jamie Foxx later commented on the incident, describing it as “unacceptable” and questioning whether the statement was entirely involuntary. Foxx suggested Davidson “meant that s***,” a remark that generated significant online discussion.

His response contrasted with statements from Tourette’s advocacy groups, which emphasise that vocal tics can occur without conscious control. Medical specialists note that people living with Tourette’s may occasionally produce socially offensive words during tic episodes, and these expressions do not necessarily reflect personal beliefs or intentions.

Jamie Foxx – Instagram

Attention also turned to the ceremony’s broadcast management under BAFTA. Some viewers and commentators criticised the handling of the broadcast after the slur was transmitted without immediate editing during the delayed telecast. Critics argued that stronger content moderation measures could help prevent the airing of offensive language, particularly given the historical sensitivity surrounding racial slurs in public discourse. Others said that excessive editing of cultural events could limit visibility of disability experiences and reduce public understanding of neurological conditions.

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The incident brought renewed focus to the complexity of representing Tourette’s syndrome in public spaces and the challenge of balancing audience sensitivity with authentic depiction of disability. Supporters of Davidson urged viewers to avoid assuming intent behind the tic episode, while critics of Foxx’s remark argued that judging the event without medical context could contribute to misunderstanding of neurological disorders.

The controversy has extended discussion about how major cultural institutions manage live broadcasts, accessibility awareness, and language sensitivity during high-profile ceremonies.