BAFTA Judge Resigns Over Association's 'Utterly Unforgivable' Handling of Racial Slur Incident at Ceremony

BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson has resigned from the organization following their handling of an incident at Sunday night's ceremony in which a racial slur was shouted out when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage

NEED TO KNOW

• In a LinkedIn post, Richardson said he was "compelled" to step back due to BAFTA's "unforgivable" handling

• Following the airing of the n-word on the recorded show, BAFTA and the BBC issued separate apologies

BAFTAjudge Jonte Richardson has resigned over the handling of Sunday night's racial slurincident involving Tourette's Syndrome advocate John Davidsonat the 2026 British Academy Film Awards.

Davidson, 54 — who first began experiencing symptoms of the motor disorder, which causes involuntary verbal and physical tics, as a child — shouted the n-word asSinnersactorsMichael B. Jordan, 39, andDelroy Lindo, 73, presented the award for Best Visual Effects at the Sunday, Feb. 22 show.

TheBBChas since apologized after the moment was not edited out of the BBC One broadcast, which aired with a two-hour delay. It also remained on the broadcaster's catch-up service, BBC iPlayer, on Monday morning before being removed.

Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty

After Davidson shouted the racial slur,Alan Cumming, who hosted the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards,spoke to the audience, noting that the movieI Swearaddressed the type of involuntary outbursts that audience members heard. He then addressed the audience again later in the evening, this time apologizing to anyone who may have been offended by Davidson's words.

Filmmaker Richardson was among those criticizing the way the whole thing was handled during and after the ceremony, sharinga statement on LinkedInon Monday, Feb. 23 confirming he felt "compelled" to "withdraw from the BAFTA emerging talent judging panel" after some "considerable soul-searching."

Richardson said the organization's "handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable."

"I cannot and will not contribute my time energy and expertise to an [organization] that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community," he continued.

"This is particularly unfortunate given that this year's cohort boasts some incredible Black talent, especially one of my favourite shows of 2025 'Just Act Normal.' However, when an [organization] like BAFTA, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its [behavior]," Richardson shared.

He concluded, "I hope BAFTA leadership comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future," signing off the message, "Yours sincerely, Jonte Richardson."

BAFTA didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment regarding Richardson's post.

Jeff Spicer/Getty

The BBC told PEOPLE in a statement on Monday, "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional. We [apologize] that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."

BAFTA alsoreleased a statementon Monday,which included, "At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and [apologize] to all."

Advertisement

"Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we [apologize] unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism," BATFA also said in the statement.

"We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we [apologize] to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy," the post concluded.

In addition, Davidsonspoke out about the incident in a statementhe shared withVariety.

"I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast. I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs," Davidson said in his statement.

A stage manager at the BAFTA Film Awards had introduced Davidson to the audience before the show and alerted guests that they may hear some "involuntary noises or movements" during the ceremony, according to the outlet.

"I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me," Davidson continued in his statement. "In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Davidson attended the BAFTA Film Awards in London to represent the filmI Swear, which is based on his life and experiences with Tourette's. In his statement, Davidson said that the movie, "more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome."

He continued, "I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing."

After the incident, Lindo toldVanity Fairat a Warner Brothers' afterparty that he and Jordan "did what we had to do" when they were on stage, but admitted hewished "someone from BAFTA spoke to us [about the incident] afterwards."

Reps for Jordan and Lindo didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment on Monday, Feb. 23.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclav Urich

in

February 24, 2026

BAFTA Judge Resigns Over Association's 'Utterly Unforgivable' Handling of Racial Slur Incident at Ceremony

BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson has resigned from the organization following their handling of an incident at Sunday night...

Read More

Christina Applegate Shares the 'Raw, Honest' Truth About Her Life in New Memoir: 'I Don’t Have Patience for Bulls--- Anymore’ (Exclusive)

John Shearer

NEED TO KNOW

• Christina Applegate is opening up about her life like never before in a new memoir, 'You With the Sad Eyes'

• The actress reflects on teen fame, abusive relationships, motherhood and her own unique experiences with both breast cancer and MS

• Amid her MS diagnosis, Applegate is raising daughter Sadie, 15, whom she shares with her husband, musician Martyn LeNoble

Christina Applegate's bedroom has become somewhat of a sanctuary.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, Applegate, 54, now spends a good portion of each day on or in her bed because it's too painful to move around. Her routine with daughter Sadie, 15, whom she shares with her husband, musician Martyn LeNoble, 56, is less forgiving because of the need for rides to school and activities.

"I want to take her; it's my favorite thing to do. It's the only time we have together by ourselves," Applegate says. "I tell myself, 'Just get her there safely and get home so you can get back into bed.' And that's what I do."

Ironically, being confined to her bedroom has allowed the actress, dancer and producer, a newfound freedom to be unfiltered when it comes to her own journey.

John Shearer

"My life isn't wrapped up with a bow," says Applegate, whohosts the podcast MeSsyalong with friend and fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler (who also has MS). "People's lives, sorry for lack of a better term, f---ing suck sometimes. So I'm being as honest and raw as I possibly can."

That starts with her new memoirYou With the Sad Eyes, which spans from her tumultuous upbringing in L.A.'s infamous Laurel Canyon to teen fame, abusive relationships, motherhood and her own unique experiences with both breast cancer and MS, an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system.

Courtesy Christina Applegate

"We all have come from somewhere, some places more painful than others, and it's what you do with it, I guess," says the actress. "This is not an inspirational book, by any means. But it can inspire."

Advertisement

For more of Applegate's exclusive interview, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday.

The actress reveals her childhood in L.A.'s infamous Laurel Canyon was filled with instability and marred by her experiences with molestation and abuse, including watching her single mom, actress Nancy Priddy, struggle with heroin addiction and a physically abusive boyfriend, who turned on Applegate as well.

"I think I had kind of the worst situation from 3 to 7, but there was stuff like that going on in all our homes. Single moms, men coming in and out, drugs. It's always fun to see your mom crying on the floor and you not being taken care of," she says ruefully.

Even as her acting career flourished (she cemented her status as the family breadwinner with her iconic role of Kelly Bundy in the hit Fox sitcomMarried... With Children), Applegate faced more rough times in her personal life, including staying in a long-term relationship with an abusive boyfriend that began in her late teens.

"My mom always said, 'I never met a junkie I didn't like.' And that kind of was how I rolled," she says. "I never was with anyone who had a real job. I was always with these broken birds that I wanted to fix. I just always thought I could do it. And you know what? You can't. It's like, if I can be a lesson to anyone."

Courtesy Christina Applegate

While Applegate—who'slaunching a new online platform, Next in MS, where others can share their own experiences living with the disease—insists it wasn't exactly cathartic to write, her memoir "is about a little girl with sad eyes who ended up becoming Christina Applegate," she says. "And she still has those sad eyes. But she's a stronger, different, resilient human being. And that's really kind of my story."

You With the Sad Eyeshits bookshelves March 3.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclav Urich

in

February 24, 2026

Christina Applegate Shares the 'Raw, Honest' Truth About Her Life in New Memoir: 'I Don’t Have Patience for Bulls--- Anymore’ (Exclusive)

John Shearer NEED TO KNOW Christina Applegate is opening up about her life like never before in a new memoi...

Read More

Norah O'Donnell Says She Once Told TV Execs She Wouldn't Host “CBS This Morning ”Unless This Demand Was Met

JC Olivera/Variety via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• CBS' Norah O'Donnell is reflecting on a salary negotiation that ensured she "got paid the same" as a male colleague on the same show

• O'Donnell recalled the past negotiation while appearing on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, in an interview that aired on Tuesday, Feb. 24

• "In the times that you know that you are worth it, you have to ask for it," she said

Norah O'Donnellis looking back at the time she "got paid the same" as a male colleague after advocating for it. And she's encouraging others to do the same "in the times that you know that you are worth it."

During the second part of herThe Jamie Kern Lima Showinterview, released on Tuesday, Feb. 24, the veteran CBS journalist recalled the moment she secured a higher salary when she boardedCBS This Morningin 2012.

"When I was covering the White House, I was then asked to go become the anchor of the morning show withGayle KingandCharlie Rose," O'Donnell, 52, recalled of the show. "And they came to me and said, 'We need an answer immediately,' and I said, 'I don't have to give you an answer immediately.' "

"They said, 'Here's the deal,' " O'Donnell added. "And I said, 'I'm not taking the deal unless you pay me the same amount as the man on that show.' Because I knew he was the highest-paid person on the show.' "

While O'Donnell said the response to her request was initially, "We can't do that," she apparently wouldn't take no for an answer. "I said, 'Why not?" And they said, 'Because he's this person.' "

"I said, 'Then I don't want the job.' So I got paid the same," she said.

After laughing that "not all my negotiations go that way," O'Donnell emphasized that employees should ask for what they deserve when they "know that you are worth it."

"If you don't ask for what you want or know what you're worth at that particular moment, sometimes you're not always worth the same or equal," she said. "Someone may be much more experienced, or they do deserve the top job. So it doesn't always work. But in the times that you know that you are worth it, you have to ask for it."

O'Donnell added, "Sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. Every once in a while, it turns out OK. Then there are lots of stories where it doesn't."

Advertisement

Allison Shelley/CBS News via Getty

The journalist, currently promoting her new bookWe the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America, served as co-anchor ofCBS This Morningbetween 2012 and 2019. Her last broadcast on the show came in May 2019. She is currently a CBS News correspondent and60 Minutescontributing correspondent.

Later in the episode, O'Donnell detailed maintaining journalistic standards and integrity amid a period ofcontroversy and change at CBS News. "I think people think that we give somebody the questions in advance, which would be against standards, and so we never do that," O'Donnell said.

"Now, do people try and influence... do the press people call up the producers and say, 'Are you gonna ask about this? Are you gonna ask about that?' We say, 'Well, we're gonna ask whatever's in the news that day.'"

During part one of the podcast, released on Feb. 17, host Jamie Kern Lima asked O'Donnell about the "microscope" currently on the network. The question came as high-profile exits and leadership changes have taken place at the network amid the October appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News.

"You know, I have worked at CBS now for, oh my goodness, probably almost 14 years and have had a great career," O'Donnell responded. "Whether it was covering the White House, anchoring the morning show, anchoring the evening news [or] working for60 Minutes. We have had a lot of leadership changes at CBS."

She added, "That has been challenging. Not only for me, but I know for my colleagues. And I think with so many leadership changes, people are fearful about what the future means."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Elsewhere in the conversation, O'Donnell reiterated that she's "very fortunate to work for CBS News and work with the very best producers."

"Sometimes we all take a lot of heat. But I happen to work with some really incredible, incredible people who make our job not only interesting and successful, but also we care deeply about each other," she said.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclav Urich

in

February 24, 2026

Norah O'Donnell Says She Once Told TV Execs She Wouldn't Host “CBS This Morning ”Unless This Demand Was Met

JC Olivera/Variety via Getty NEED TO KNOW CBS' Norah O'Donnell is reflecting on a salary negotiatio...

Read More