A prominent Tourette syndrome advocate has stepped into a growing controversy surrounding a highly publicized outburst at the BAFTA Awards, urging the public to focus on education and empathy rather than condemnation.
Shayla Amamiya, a social media creator known for raising awareness about Tourette syndrome, defended the incident involving John Davidson, saying his use of a racial slur during the ceremony was an involuntary symptom of the neurological disorder — not an intentional act.
“This Is the Fear People With Tourette’s Live With”
Amamiya, who also lives with Tourette syndrome, stated in a now-viral video that vocal tics are beyond an individual’s control and can include offensive language.
She warned that the backlash illustrates a deeper societal misunderstanding of neurological conditions.
She described the reaction as “outrageous ableism,” noting that people often trivialize Tourette’s symptoms in jokes or media portrayals but respond harshly when real-life symptoms become uncomfortable.
Watch her full defence video here.
Amamiya also said incidents like the BAFTAs moment reflect a broader anxiety shared by people living with the condition — the fear of being misunderstood, stigmatized, or attacked for symptoms they cannot control.
Incident Sparks Debate About Awareness
The controversy occurred during the British Academy Film Awards when Davidson, the real-life subject of a biographical film about his life with Tourette syndrome, shouted a racial slur while presenters Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.
In a statement, BAFTA confirmed the outburst was caused by involuntary verbal tics linked to Davidson’s condition and issued an apology to those affected.
The organization also noted that Davidson left the auditorium voluntarily and watched the remainder of the ceremony remotely.
Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images/Getty Images Europe
Understanding Tourette Syndrome
According to the Tourette Association of America, roughly 10% to 15% of people with Tourette syndrome experience vocal tics that may involve profanity or inappropriate language, a symptom known as coprolalia.
Medical experts stress that such vocalizations do not reflect a person’s beliefs or intentions.
A Call for Education Over Judgment
Amamiya said the public response to the incident highlights an ongoing need for better education about neurological and mental health conditions.
She urged audiences to approach such moments with compassion and awareness rather than immediate outrage, emphasizing that understanding Tourette syndrome is essential to reducing stigma.
Her message, she said, is ultimately about unity: recognizing that while the effects of certain words are deeply painful, addressing neurological conditions requires empathy, context, and informed dialogue.
