Jonathan Majors Breaks Silence in Exclusive ‘Good Morning America’ Interview Following Assault Conviction
In a candid interview on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America,’ Jonathan Majors opened up about his recent misdemeanor assault and harassment conviction in a case involving his former partner, Grace Jabbari. This marks the actor’s first public statement since the verdict was delivered.
Majors expressed shock at the guilty verdict and vehemently pushed back on his culpability in the incident. During the interview with ABC News Live’s anchor Linsey Davis, Majors stated, “I shouldn’t have been in the car. I shouldn’t have stepped out of the relationship. I shouldn’t have been in the relationship. If I’m not in the car, none of this is happening.”
The charges stem from a March 25, 2023 incident when Majors was riding in a car with Jabbari. The actor was found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in the second degree after a two-week jury trial in December.
Majors addressed questions about Jabbari’s injuries, initially claiming ignorance about their cause but later acknowledging his responsibility for the altercation’s escalation. He emphasized being “reckless with her heart, not with her body,” denying any history of physical violence in his relationships.
The actor disclosed experiencing suicidal ideations since childhood but asserted that he had sought help to address these issues. Text messages expressing such thoughts were presented as evidence during the trial, contributing to the emotional abuse narrative.
Jonathan Majors is speaking out for the first time since his conviction in a domestic violence trial in an interview with ABC News: pic.twitter.com/bYpwZ4qbfq
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 8, 2024
Majors also highlighted his own injuries during the incident, sharing photos, and pointed out that Jabbari had chased him down the street after the altercation, emphasizing the potential racial implications.
Despite facing professional consequences, with Disney’s Marvel Studios dropping him from upcoming projects, Majors expressed hope for a Hollywood comeback. The interview’s timing, just ahead of his sentencing on February 6, has raised eyebrows, with legal experts noting its potential impact on the judge’s decision.
The actor addressed an audio recording played in court where he compared himself to influential figures, explaining it as an analogy for his aspirations. He credited his current partner, Meagan Good, as an anchor during the trial, likening her to Coretta Scott King.
The interview, conducted by ABC News on Disney-owned ABC, is considered unusual given its placement and timing. Majors acknowledged the challenges but stated, “It’s about responsibility and coming forward and being brave and giving my part of the story.”
The full interview aired on ‘Good Morning America’ with additional segments scheduled for GMA3 and an extended version streaming on ABC News Live’s ‘Prime.’ A special half-hour segment featuring unaired footage is set to air on ‘IMPACT x Nightline’ exclusively on Hulu on January 11.