Deon Cole had the crowd cracking up during his opening bit at the 57th Annual NAACP Image Awards over the weekend — but online reactions quickly split into two very different conversations.
The comedian and actor opened in full “joke preacher” mode, delivering a mock prayer that took aim at Nicki Minaj and later referenced Tourette Syndrome — two moments that have been fueling debate across X (formerly Twitter).
WHAT DEON COLE SAID IN THE OPENING
Cole began the bit by saying, “Lord, we want you to bless our sister, Nicki Minaj,” before suggesting she has “been going through a lot lately” and “hasn’t been herself.” Then he dropped the punchline, joking that whatever’s “in her ass is affecting her brain” and asking the Lord to “take it out.”
Cameras caught audience members laughing and smiling as Cole committed to the joke preacher style delivery — but once clips hit social media, the reactions turned into a debate about whether the segment was funny, disrespectful, or both.
PULL QUOTE: “The room laughed — but the internet didn’t agree on what was funny.”
THE POLITICS ANGLE: WHY NICKI WAS MENTIONED
Some viewers believe Cole’s line about Nicki “not being herself” was a nod to the recent backlash she’s faced over her vocal support of President Donald Trump — a stance that’s divided parts of her fanbase and sparked heavy criticism online. Nicki has publicly defended her political views, but the response has been intense.
TOURETTE SYNDROME REFERENCES — AND WHY PEOPLE CONNECTED IT TO THE BAFTA MOMENT
Beyond the Nicki jokes, Cole’s bit also referenced Tourette Syndrome — including a line about “reading the room” that some viewers felt was insensitive. That reaction was amplified because of a recent trending incident from the BAFTA Awards in London involving Tourette’s activist John Davidson.
According to viral posts circulating online, Davidson allegedly shouted racial slurs — including the N-word and “b*tch” — toward actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the BAFTA broadcast. That moment sparked its own wave of debate about disability, accountability, and live event disruptions — and viewers say it likely influenced how Cole’s Tourette’s reference was received at the NAACP Image Awards.
Note: The online discussion includes offensive language shared in screenshots and reposts. We are referencing the situation for context, not repeating slurs.
THE MIXED REVIEWS: WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ON X
Social media reactions have ranged from applause to outrage:
- Critics called the segment “gross,” accusing Cole of crossing a line with Tourette’s references and mocking the idea of prayer.
- Others said the NAACP should not have allowed a segment they felt demeaned Nicki Minaj and offended religious viewers.
- Supporters praised Cole’s boldness, calling the moment “necessary,” and said his Chicago humor had them in tears.
THE BIGGER QUESTION: COMEDY VS. CONTEXT
Awards show monologues have always walked a tight rope — and this moment is another reminder that a live room reaction doesn’t always match the internet’s response. Between celebrity politics, disability-related discourse, and faith-based reactions, Deon Cole’s opening didn’t just set the tone — it sparked a full-on conversation.
What’s your take? Was Deon Cole’s opening prayer funny, too far, or somewhere in the middle?
