Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo Get Called N-Word at BAFTA Awards
LONDON, UK — With the stage set to celebrate greatness in cinema, it was temporarily dimmed by the ugly reality of racism during the presentation of an award by award-nominated actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
“Delroy and I are delighted to present the first BAFTA [Award] of the night for a vital part of movie making,” Jordan said on stage.
Lindo and Jordan presented the first award of the night at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, when the N-word was shouted from the crowd twice.
Of course, the two actors were not pleased, yet they maintained their poise and continued to present the award for the night.
No further outbursts were heard or reported, and the two actors left the stage without incident. They were in attendance for their award-winning film “Sinners,” which received several nominations, including a historic win for its director, Ryan Coogler, who became the first Black man to win the “Best Original Screenplay” award. Other notable winners from the cast included Wunmi Mosaku, who won Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
This terrible incident serves as a reminder that racism persists in society, regardless of the accomplishments of Black Americans in the entertainment industry.
BAFTA host Alan Cumming made a statement regarding the racially insensitive outburst by audience member John Davidson during the award presentation by Lindo and Jordan.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background there. This is how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience.”
Lindo, Jordan, Mosaku, and Coogler will continue their award tour as they look forward to the upcoming Actors Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA on March 1, as well as the Academy Awards, where “Sinners” has been nominated for a record 16 awards across various categories.
Related: Teyana Taylor’s Golden Globe Win: Heartfelt Gratitude and Empowering Speech
