PASADENA, California −Delroy Lindoaddressed a recent controversial moment when he and his "Sinners" costarMichael B. Jordantook the stage at the 57thNAACP Image Awards, their first public appearance since a racial slur was hurled at them during theBAFTAs.
At the British awards show on Feb. 22, Tourette's syndrome advocateJohn Davidsonhurled a racial slur while Lindo and Jordan, who are Black, were presenting an award for visual effects. Davidson has cited hisTourette's syndromeas the reason why he yelled the slur and condemned the racial slur he used.
The two "Sinner" actors returned to the spotlight at the NAACP awards on Feb 28 in Los Angeles County, where the talent behind the Oscar-nominated film was celebrated. While presenting best supporting actress in a movie alongside "Sinners" directorRyan Coogler, Lindo expressed gratitude.
"I'd just like to officially say, I appreciate, we appreciate all the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend. It means a lot to us," he said at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
Lindo added that he felt honored to receive "incredible support" after the distressing incident at the U.K. ceremony, calling it "a classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive."
Jordan did not address the moment during the broadcast, though he and Lindo had an untelevised conversation shortly after Lindo's speech. During the exchange, Lindo, 73, playfully shoved Jordan, 39, who was seated in front of him.
The "Creed III" actor accepted the award for best actor in a movie, dedicated the win to his late"Black Panther" co-star Chadwick Boseman, and said, "I love being Black." Jordan later took the night's top prize, entertainer of the year, where he urged anyone hoping to find success to keep working hard, be a good person and "lead with love and kindness."
"The world needs more unity, more grace, more empathy," he said.
Regina Hall, Deon Cole address BAFTAs incident at NAACP Image Awards
Host Deon Cole quipped about the controversy at the start of the broadcast, reminding everyone to remember Saturday was the last day of Black History Month.
"Lord, if there are any white men out there with Tourette's, I advise you to tell them to read the room tonight." Cole said.
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"One Battle After Another" actressRegina Hallcommemorated Jordan and Lindo while presenting the first award of the night. "I'd like to take a moment to thank the two kings who are in this audience and just send you so much love for your class."
The biggest names in Hollywood stepped out to honor Black excellence at the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 28, 2026. See the night's head-turning looks, starting with Halle Bailey." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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The biggest names in Hollywood stepped out to honor Black excellence at the57th NAACP Image Awardson Feb. 28, 2026. See the night's head-turning looks, starting with Halle Bailey.
Later, "Abbott Elementary" star and creatorQuinta Brunsongave a shout-out to the "Sinners" cast and crew during her acceptance speech, saying, "We see you" and "We're behind you."
John Davidson, BAFTAs and BBC apologize
Following the moment at the BAFTAs, Davidson said his use of the slur was a symptom of Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to theTourette Association of America.
"I want to be really clear that the intent behind them is zero. What you're hearing is a symptom − not my character, not my thought, not my belief," he said in an email interviewVarietypublished on Feb. 24. "The most offensive word that I ticked at the ceremony is a word I would never use and would completely condemn if I did not have Tourette's."
Davidson, 54, was at the U.K. ceremony as executive producer and subject of a BAFTA-nominated film titled "I Swear," which chronicles his own experiences with the condition for nearly four decades.
BBC also faced backlash as the moment was not edited out of the broadcast, which aired with a two-hour delay and remained on the BBC's streaming service the morning after.
In an internal memo shared with USA TODAY on Feb. 25, BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips wrote, "I'm so sorry that a racial slur was not edited out of our broadcast. We understand how distressing this was." She added that a different racial slur was removed from the broadcast. "This one was aired in error and we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast."
The BAFTAs also issued an apology for "putting our guests in a very difficult situation" in a lengthy statement published byThe Hollywood Reporter.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan attend NAACP Image Awards after BAFTAs