Oscar-Winning Production Designer Hannah Beachler Discloses N-Word Incident at BAFTA Ceremony
Hannah Beachler, the groundbreaking production designer who became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Production Design in 2018 for Black Panther, has revealed that Tourette's campaigner John Davidson directed the n-word at her during Sunday's BAFTA awards. This disclosure follows widespread reports of Davidson's involuntary outbursts targeting actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the London event.
Beachler's Account of the Racist Slur
In a post on X, Beachler described the distressing experience, stating she struggled to articulate the events. "I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words," she wrote. "The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show." Beachler noted that another target was a black woman, emphasizing the racial nature of the incidents.
Criticism of the Apology and Handling
While acknowledging the complexities of Davidson's Tourette syndrome, Beachler expressed dissatisfaction with the apology delivered by awards host Alan Cumming. She criticized it as a "throw away apology of 'if you were offended'" at the ceremony's conclusion. "Of course we were offended... but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened," she asserted, highlighting her resilience as an artist. Beachler's comments underscore broader concerns about how such incidents are addressed in public forums.
Context of Davidson's Involvement and Outbursts
John Davidson was present at the BAFTAs as the subject of I Swear, a nominated film detailing his life with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition affecting about one in 100 children in England, according to NHS data. During the ceremony, microphones captured Davidson shouting the n-word at Jordan and Lindo, actors from Sinners, while they were on stage. A clip of this went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion.
Alan Cumming addressed the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, explaining, "You may have heard some strong offensive language tonight, but if you've seen the film I Swear, it's about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome. It is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary." He apologized if it caused offense, and thanked the audience for their understanding. Davidson reportedly left voluntarily during the second half and was not asked to leave by BAFTA, as confirmed by sources to Variety.
Background on Davidson and the Film
Davidson, awarded an MBE for his awareness-raising efforts, has previously shared anecdotes about his condition, including compulsions during official events. The film I Swear, starring Robert Aramayo as Davidson, depicts his early years in Glasgow post-diagnosis. Although it lost in the Outstanding British Film category to Hamnet, Aramayo won the Lead Actor award, surpassing nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothee Chalamet, and also secured the EE Rising Star Award, the only publicly voted accolade of the night.
This incident highlights the intersection of disability advocacy and racial sensitivity, raising questions about appropriate responses in high-profile settings. Beachler's testimony adds a personal dimension to the controversy, emphasizing the impact on individuals despite the involuntary nature of the slurs.
