Baylen Dupree Addresses BAFTA Tourette’s Incident: A Personal Perspective

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards were marred by controversy when renowned Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson inadvertently shouted a racial slur during the ceremony.

As actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took the stage to present an award, Davidson’s vocal tic interrupted their presentation, prompting a variety of reactions from the audience and viewers at home. In a show of solidarity, reality TV star Baylen Dupree has stepped forward to defend Davidson, offering insights drawn from her own experiences with Tourette syndrome.

Who Is Baylen Dupree?

Baylen Dupree, 23, is the leading figure of TLC’s hit reality series Baylen Out Loud, where she invites viewers into her life, managing both severe vocal and motor tics. Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in 2020, just before turning 18, Dupree has used her platform to educate millions of TikTok followers on neurological disorders.

During the incident on February 22, Davidson’s involuntary outburst included the n-word, among other expletives, as it echoed through the venue while Jordan and Lindo were on stage. The event sparked a dialogue on the challenges faced by those living with Tourette syndrome.

What Happened at BAFTAs 2026?

During the ceremony on February 22, John Davidson was heard from the audience shouting the n-word among other vulgarities as Jordan and Lindo presented.

Host Alan Cumming had previously alerted the audience concerning Davidson’s involuntary tics. The BBC later issued an apology for failing to edit the inappropriate language from the recorded broadcast.

Baylen Dupree’s Tourette’s Journey

Dupree had been experiencing tics since childhood but only received her diagnosis at the age of 18.

Her show highlights the everyday challenges posed by this disorder; one episode portrays a situation in which she faces potential harm from her tics while attempting to prepare dinner. She describes the sensation of losing control of her voice as “terrifying.”

Why Baylen Defends John Davidson

In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, Dupree clarified that “tics are not intentional thoughts” but rather involuntary reactions, similar to sneezing. She stressed that Tourette’s is not rooted in hatred but rather in anxiety and the fear of expressing inappropriate thoughts.

While she recognized the distress caused by the slur, she argued that there is “a distinction between intention and impulse.”