AceShowbiz - Jayme Lawson, star of Sinners, commended her co-stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo for their dignified response to a disturbing incident at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the NAACP Image Awards, Lawson expressed admiration for how they managed a racial slur shouted at them during the ceremony.

The incident involved John Davidson, a Tourette’s advocate who was broadcasted shouting the N-word at Jordan and Lindo on live television. Davidson’s condition, coprolalia, causes involuntary offensive outbursts. While the audience was informed of Davidson’s disability, Lawson argued that the organizers failed to take adequate measures to protect both Davidson and the individuals targeted by his outbursts.

“Institutionally, we still don't understand what inclusion means,” Lawson said. She emphasized that simply inviting someone into a space without providing the necessary support to ensure everyone's safety is not true inclusivity but exploitation. “That man’s disability got exploited that night, and it led to multiple offenses,” she added, highlighting the lack of care shown by the event’s organizers.

The BBC aired the incident but controversially only showed Davidson’s use of the N-word, omitting his other outbursts. Lawson criticized the broadcaster’s decision, stating it demonstrated a careless disregard for the Black actors involved. She also revealed that the BBC cut out the phrase “Free Palestine” from director Akinola Davies Jr.’s speech, who is Black, further underscoring what she sees as selective censorship.

Lawson pointed out that the production designer for Sinners was also subjected to the N-word during the event, an aspect that received little attention. She accused the BBC and the BAFTAs of valuing Black art but failing to protect the dignity and humanity of Black artists. “You do not care for our dignity, our humanity. You want to celebrate our art, but you won’t protect it,” she said.

The BBC defended its editing choices by citing time constraints. However, Lawson found this explanation unconvincing, especially since the phrase “Free Palestine” was also muted during the BRIT Awards, suggesting a pattern of censorship rather than a simple timing issue.

The controversy raises important questions about how institutions approach inclusion and the responsibility they have to safeguard all participants, especially when disabilities and sensitive issues intersect. Jayme Lawson’s outspoken critique shines a light on the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in high-profile events and media coverage.