Jonathan Majors Sparks Backlash for Bizarre Interview Quote

Jonathan Majors is taking a lot of criticism for comparing his new girlfriend to author and wife of Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, after being convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

The former Marvel actor, 34, was convicted of two misdemeanor charges of domestic violence in December for a series of incidents involving his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, in March 2023.

He revealed in a recent sit-down interview that he planned to appeal the verdict, but if that fails, Majors could face up to a year in prison when sentenced in February.

Majors faced Lindsey Davis of ABC News on Good Morning America where he described feeling "shocked" by the verdict.

During the trial, prosecutors told the jury that Jabbari had suffered a broken finger, a laceration to her ear and bruises as a result of the attack. They also heard recorded audio of an argument between Majors and Jabbari where he ordered her to behave like Scott King and Michelle Obama.

"I am a great man," he told the dancer during one altercation.

In his interview with Davis, the actor was asked about his relationship with actor Meagan Good, who was by his side throughout the trial and watched their interview in the room as it was being recorded.

"She's an angel. She's held me down like a Coretta [Scott King]. I'm so blessed to have her," Majors responded as Good watched on.

People online reacted to Majors' comments, with a number slamming the actor for repeatedly invoking the spirit of the civil rights activists.

One person reacted to the clip from the GMA interview on X, formerly Twitter, by comparing it to the audio between Majors and Jabbari.

"Listen, #JonathanMajorscalling Meagan Good his 'Coretta' when we heard audio of him shouting at Grace Jabbari for not being more like Coretta Scott King? It isn't a joke or funny. it's post-separation abuse that @ABCNetwork & @GMA facilitated & participated in," they wrote.

Another added: "Jonathan Majors referring to Meagan Good as his Coretta Scott King is extremely laughable. Especially after those audio recordings leaked of him telling that white woman that he wanted her to be more like Coretta & Michelle Obama. Chile, the jokes write themselves."

And a third wrote: "I'm so fascinated by the constant Coretta reference. It tells us so much about his own self-perception and valorization. He thinks himself as a leader, a beacon and now possibly virtually a martyr."

One expert claimed that throughout the ABC interview, Majors was employing the tactic of "Darvo," which is an acronym for deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender.

"He's denying the reality that's being put in front of him and attacking the victim by suggesting that she's the one who's actually mistreating him," sociologist Nicole Bedera told The Guardian. "It's the classic defense of men who have behaved badly and are looking for empathy."

She also explained how invoking the spirit of King Jr. and his wife Coretta was "an appeal to convince liberal audiences that violence is OK, and it's actually an act of social justice to allow the perpetrator to remain in a position of power."

Bedera added: "He makes this really strong connection to the history of lynching Black men, but he brings it up for his own gain."

Jabbari responded to Majors' interviews through her lawyers and said he continues to "take no accountability for his actions".

"The timing of these new statements demonstrates a clear lack of remorse for the actions for which he was found guilty and should make the sentencing decisions fairly easy for the Court," lawyer Brittany Henderson said, as reported by the BBC.

The actor was convicted of assaulting Jabbari after she tried to wrestle his cell phone from him when they were passengers in a chauffeured car in New York City. Jabbari had spotted a text from another woman and became distraught when Majors replied.

He threw Jabbari back into the SUV after she had attempted to flee and later called 911 himself out of what he said were concerns for Jabbari's mental health. Majors was promptly arrested on multiple charges, but has always maintained his innocence.

Bedera also questioned why the interview was aired on ABC, which is owned by Disney, which shelved a highly anticipated movie starring Majors that had a lot of Oscars-buzz. But it also owns Marvel, which sacked the actor after his guilty verdict.

Majors was hired as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) new overarching villain, Kang the Conqueror. He had already appeared in Disney+ series, Loki, and the Marvel movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and was set to reprise the role for at least two more Avengers movies.

Some pundits have questioned whether the interview was part of a PR campaign to soften Majors' image and have him either return to MCU or continue making content with Disney.

"One of the risks of these types of interviews is it can lead people to readjudicate a crime that has already been adjudicated, and with less care and caution than would take place for people who really do have access to evaluate all the evidence firsthand," Bedera said.

"Rape and domestic violence apologists will say we need to wait to pass judgment until the criminal courts make their decision. But even after the decision was made, in this case, the goalpost is moving again. Now it's: the conviction isn't enough."

Anyone seeking help can call The National Domestic Violence Hotline, a free and confidential hotline available 24/7 that can be reached on 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The Hotline also provides information on local resources. For more information visit www.thehotline.org.