At the end of a week that saw the 2026 BAFTA Awards sparked controversy after guest John Davidson, who suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome, shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award, the 2026 NAACP Image Awards provided several opportunities for those affected by the incident to express their support for Jordan and Lindo.
Lindo himself made his first public comments on the incident, taking the stage with him Sinners Writer-director Ryan Coogler a little over an hour after the ceremony to thunderous applause at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
“I would just like to formally say, I appreciate, we appreciate all the support and love we’ve shown in the wake of what happened last weekend. It means a lot to us,” Lindo said.
He added that the moment is “a classic case of something that can be so negative becoming so positive” and reflected on the “honor” of being at the NAACP Image Awards.
Bafta has since issued a full apology for the incident, which reached a wider audience when it was broadcast during a BBC broadcast of the awards show, and has pledged to launch a “comprehensive review” of the ceremony.
Earlier during Saturday’s NAACP Image Awards, which aired live on CBS and BET, host Deon Cole jokingly offered a prayer for anyone in the audience with Tourette’s to “read the room.”
The first prize of the evening was then presented to… SinnersMiles Caton, Regina Hall took a moment to honor “Kings” Jordan and Lindo for their “classist” comments, which led to a standing ovation.
Abbott Elementary Star and creator Quinta Bronson, who won the second award of the evening for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, also greeted the cast and crew. Sinners.
“We see you,” she said. “We’re behind you…I love you.”
Sinners It led this year’s NAACP Image Awards nominations with 18 nominations and won 13 awards, including three awards during Saturday night’s broadcast, where it won Best Motion Picture and Best Actor for star Michael B. Jordan. Jordan went on to win the NAACP Image Awards for Entertainer of the Year.
