Just six months ago, Jonathan Majors was convicted of domestic violence and harassment, but that didn’t stop Hollywood Unlocked from honoring him with the “Perseverance Award” at the annual Impact Awards on Friday night in Beverly Hills.
“I am imperfect. I have flaws – I acknowledge them,” Majors said, fighting back tears during lengthy remarks after receiving the award from self-help guru and inspirational speaker Iyanla Vanzant.
It was an emotional moment for the actor, who took the stage after a sizzle reel that captured some of the “Creed III” and “Lovecraft Country” star’s highs and personal lows, but was greeted with a standing ovation from the star-covered audience. , led by Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee.
Majors consistently denied all wrongdoing during his 19-day trial, but in April the “Creed III” actor was sentenced to a year of domestic violence counseling. According to a New York judge’s ruling, Majors must complete a 52-week in-person program in Los Angeles, where he currently resides.
On the awards ceremony stage, Majors was in tears as he reflected on that experience.
“Perseverance means what?” he said. “Perseverance means persevering to do something despite difficulties or delays. And the God I serve has put me in a position where I had to embody that word more than I wanted or wanted.”
He continued, “We live in a world where men, especially black men, are portrayed as superheroes or supervillains. But I’ve come to realize that I personally don’t know anything about that. … I’m just that guy whose faith has been tested. It has been strengthened by this testimony.”
The actor’s legal troubles changed the trajectory of his rapidly rising star. Majors was set to star as Kang the Conqueror in the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following appearances in “Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania” and “Loki,” but he was dropped from all future MCU films the day the verdict was pronounced. was announced. Other film roles also disappeared, including a buzzy film in which he would play Dennis Rodman. Majors was previously suspended by his manager at Entertainment 360 and his publicity company, the Lede Company, following his arrest in March 2023. (He remains represented by the talent agency WME.)
However, in the spirit of the “perseverance” that the Hollywood Unlocked award suggests, it was announced Thursday that Majors has been cast in the lead role in Martin Villeneuve’s revenge thriller “Merciless,” his first new project since the conviction.
“There will be times in your life when things get dark, and I mean really dark. … I have seen that darkness within myself,” he said. “I’ve been in that pitch black and what I’ve learned is that when you catch a glimpse of light, you run towards it as hard and fast as you can. And I will never take that light for granted again.”
Majors then thanked all the people who supported him during these difficult times: from his family (particularly his mother, sisters, his young daughter and his girlfriend Meagan Good, who was visibly emotional in the audience) to a group of Hollywood stars. heavyweights.
“For me, light has come in a number of ways: in the midnight texts from our brother Will Smith. “Tyler Perry has breathed life into me by just supporting and loving people the way he does,” he said, shouting out David Oyelowo and his text group of black actors who supported each other, as well as filmmakers Deon and Roxane Taylor for making he was given space in their production office.
His “Lovecraft Country” co-star, Courtney B. Vance, was another strong support. So did Whoopi Goldberg, who appears on Good’s show “Harlem,” and Majors said, “blew this light of wisdom, understanding and caring on me and my queen.” [Whoopi] made us understand the support of the community. … They are extraordinary people.”
Earlier in the evening, Majors and Good walked the red carpet hand-in-hand and he abstained from many interviews, opting to share these thoughts on stage. The awards ceremony was hardly Majors’ first Hollywood appearance after the controversy. In March, he attended the 7th Annual AAFCA Special Achievement Awards Luncheon with Good, and the couple walked the red carpet at the NAACP Image Awards.
Tiffany Haddish returned to host the 4th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Other honorees include Cardi B (the Inspiration Award), Jasmine Crockett (the Social Impact Award), civil rights attorney Ben Crump (the Community Award), designer Christian Louboutin (the Innovation Award), Fat Joe (the Culture Award), and Da Brat and Jessica Harris-Dupart (the spirit price). Although there was no perseverance award recipient at the 2023 ceremony, celebrated actor and singer Jenifer Lewis was honored with the award in 2022.
Majors concluded his speech with a call to action, saying that the past few years have reminded him how much of an impact we can all have on others every day.
“Perseverance is more than just getting through tough times,” he explains. “It’s about the people who inspire you, encourage you and support us. The ones who ignite that flame, that light, that is at the center of us and keeps us going when we feel like we can’t. I receive this award not only as a recognition that I have persevered, but as a charge to be there for others and help them when and if their trials arise.”
However, his last words were to his daughter. “Your daddy loves you,” Majors said, choking back sobs as he left the stage to another standing ovation from the audience.
