Jonathan Majors addresses conviction in award acceptance speech

Jonathan Majors says that his faith was “tested” and “strengthened” after being convicted in his domestic violence trial.

The former Marvel star, who is currently completing a 52-week in-person batterer’s intervention program as part of his sentencing, delivered a 14-minute-long speech through tears as he accepted the Perseverance Award at the 2024 Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards on Friday. 

“I reckon folks want to know about this last year. As a Black man in the criminal justice system, I felt anger. I felt sadness, hurt, surprise. When they snatched me up out of my apartment in handcuffs, I didn’t feel like all that,” Majors said while standing onstage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. “I didn’t feel like Jonathan Majors. Mr. Creed. Mr. Kang… I felt like a little scared, weak boy, despite the support and the evidence that was in my favor. I knew s— was bad. It was bad because of who I was and what I am.”

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The Creed III actor was found guilty of one count of assault and one count of harassment in relation to a domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari last December. He did not serve prison time for the convictions, but was ordered by a Manhattan court criminal judge to attend the intervention program as well as continue his mental health therapy.  

Majors admitted that he was fully aware of his own “shortcomings” during his speech. “We live in a world where men — Black men in particular — are propped up as either superheroes or super villains,” he said. “But I’ve come to realize, me personally, I ain’t none of that. It was fun, but I’m just me… I’m imperfect. I have shortcomings, I acknowledge them.”

He noted that his “faith has been tested and has been strengthened” over the last year. “I’ll say this: there will be moments in your life where things get dark — and I mean really dark — and I’ve seen them depths. I’ve seen that darkness in myself,” Majors said. “I’ve sat in that pitch black, and what I’ve learned is that when you catch a glimpse of light, you run as hard and as fast as you can towards it. And I will never take that light for granted again.”

The Loki alum also took a moment to thank his family, his girlfriend Meagan Good, and several other celebrities for their support, including Will Smith, Tyler Perry, David Oyelowo, Whoopi Goldberg, and his Lovecraft Country costar, Courtney B. Vance. 

“Disappointment is a hell of a teacher,” Majors said. “It teaches you what is divinely authorized cannot be edited or deleted. It demands that you move with a heightened discernment and confidently abstain from what does not serve you. It can also gift you with a bittersweet lesson of that acceptance.”

He added, “I received this award not just as an acknowledgement that I have persevered, but as a command to be there for others and to help them when and if their trials come.”

The Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards announced earlier this month that Majors would be the recipient of the Perseverance Award. The event, hosted by Tiffany Haddish, also honored Christian Louboutin with the Innovator Award, rapper Fat Joe with the Culture Award, and Cardi B with the Inspiration Award.