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Stars Speak Out on Tourette's After On-Air Slur
25 Feb
Summary
- Tourette's syndrome causes involuntary vocal and motor tics.
- Celebrities like Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish share experiences.
- An on-air slur at the 2026 BAFTA Awards highlighted the condition.
An on-air incident at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, where a racial slur was heard, has led to increased attention on Tourette's syndrome. Host Alan Cumming clarified that the remark was due to involuntary vocal tics associated with John Davidson's Tourette's syndrome, emphasizing it was not intentional. This event has reignited discussions about live broadcasting and public perception of neurological conditions.
In response, several celebrities have shared their own journeys with Tourette's. Lewis Capaldi, diagnosed in September 2022, has spoken about how performing can worsen his symptoms and the potential impact on his music career. Billie Eilish, diagnosed at age 11, discussed her tics and how sharing her experience has made her feel less alone.
Other public figures like Seth Rogen, Tim Howard, Dan Aykroyd, and Lele Pons have also openly discussed their experiences with Tourette's syndrome. Their willingness to share aims to educate the public and destigmatize the condition, highlighting that it involves involuntary noises and movements, often beginning in childhood, and can be associated with OCD or ADHD.
