Jonathan Majors recently opened up about his experiences following his conviction in a domestic violence trial, describing his faith as both "tested" and "strengthened" by the ordeal.
The actor, formerly known for his roles in Marvel productions, delivered an emotional 14-minute speech at the 2024 Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards last Friday. Majors, who is currently fulfilling a court-mandated 52-week batterer's intervention program, accepted the Perseverance Award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Addressing the audience, Majors candidly shared his thoughts on the past year. "As a Black man in the criminal justice system, I experienced a range of emotions - anger, sadness, hurt, surprise," he revealed. The actor described feeling vulnerable and stripped of his public persona during his arrest, stating, "I didn't feel like Jonathan Majors, Mr. Creed, or Mr. Kang... I felt like a scared, weak boy."
Majors was found guilty of one count of assault and one count of harassment in December, relating to a domestic dispute with his former girlfriend. While he avoided prison time, a Manhattan court ordered him to attend the intervention program and continue mental health therapy.
During his speech, Majors acknowledged his personal shortcomings. "We live in a world where men - Black men in particular - are often portrayed as either superheroes or supervillains," he observed. "But I've come to realize, I'm neither of those. I'm just me... imperfect, with shortcomings that I recognize."
The actor expressed gratitude for the support he's received from family, his current girlfriend Meagan Good, and several industry colleagues including Will Smith, Tyler Perry, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Reflecting on his journey, Majors shared, "There will be moments in your life where things get dark - and I mean really dark - and I've seen those depths." He emphasized the importance of pursuing positivity in challenging times, stating, "When you catch a glimpse of light, you run as hard and as fast as you can towards it."
The Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards, hosted by Tiffany Haddish, also honored other notable figures in entertainment and fashion. As Majors continues to navigate the aftermath of his legal troubles, his speech highlighted a commitment to personal growth and a desire to use his experiences to support others facing similar challenges.