Key Highlights
- Michael B. Jordan attended the Actor Awards with his mother, Donna Jordan.
- Jordan is nominated for playing twins in “Sinners,” set in 1932’s Jim Crow South.
- In 2019, Jordan won an Actor Award for Black Panther.
- At BAFTAs last weekend, a racial slur was heard during the ceremony involving Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
The Star’s Mom on the Red Carpet
Michael B. Jordan made headlines not just with his red carpet appearance but by bringing his mom to the event. Donna Jordan, in attendance, stood beside her son as he stepped into the limelight. The choice of having a family member as a date is both a nod to tradition and a modern twist on the Hollywood scene.
Nominated for an Individual Acting Award
Jordan’s current nomination marks his first individual acting award since winning with the Black Panther cast in 2019. This time, he’s up for playing twins Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore in “Sinners,” a film set in the oppressive era of Jim Crow South in Mississippi.
Reflecting on the Role
Michael shared his thoughts: “You see them as old, your grandmother’s been old your entire life, but now you understand how they grew up. Going down there to make this movie, I guess the thing that clicked was like, she was 20 once, and it was like we made a movie about my grandparents, and my great-grandparents, and my cousins, and what it was like for them, the circumstances of living in survival on a day-to-day basis.”
He added, “I got an education through this process; the movie unlocked a bunch of things I took for granted or hadn’t dived that deeply into.”
A Tragic Moment at BAFTAs
The recent BAFTAs controversy overshadowed Jordan’s nomination. A racial slur was shouted by John Davidson, a man with Tourette’s, during the ceremony when Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award.
BAFTA issued an apology: “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 apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
Davidson later reflected, “As I reflect on the auditorium, I remember there was a microphone just in front of me, and with hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated, knowing I would tic.” Jordan has not commented publicly on the incident.
Industry Reflection
The incident at BAFTAs highlights the ongoing issues within the entertainment industry. Despite the progress in representation and inclusivity, incidents like these remind us of the work still needed to create a truly safe space for all artists.
You might think this is new, but… it’s not. It’s part of a long-standing struggle that Hollywood grapples with every year.
The industry moves forward, only to be reminded of the deep-seated issues that persist.
The nomination and the controversy both serve as a reminder: Michael B. Jordan’s journey in acting is a testament to his talent and dedication, but it also underscores the challenges faced by actors of color in the spotlight.