Marvel star Jonathan Majors, who was sentenced six months ago for assault and harassment, was moved to tears on the stage of Beverly Hills Mansion when he received an award and expressed that he will no longer take success for granted.
On the evening of the 21st, Jonathan Majors, who plays the villain “Conqueror Kang” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), was awarded the “Perseverance Award” at the annual Beverly Hills Mansion Impact Awards ceremony. According to Variety, the 34-year-old Majors received a standing ovation when he took the stage, holding back tears as he said, “I am not perfect, I have flaws, I acknowledge them.”
In March 2023, Majors was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend and in April this year, he was convicted of misdemeanor domestic assault and harassment. He was sentenced to a year of domestic violence counseling and is required to complete a 52-week domestic violence intervention program in Los Angeles where he currently resides, undergo mental health therapy, and refrain from prison time. A permanent restraining order was issued, prohibiting him from contacting his ex-girlfriend, with any further illegal or criminal activity possibly leading to imprisonment.
Recalling those experiences, Majors tearfully said, “What does perseverance mean? Perseverance means even when things get tough or delay happens, to persistently do it well. Because God put me in such a situation, I had to embody this perseverance, much more than I hoped or wanted it to be.”
Majors gained global attention last year for his role as “Conqueror Kang” in Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”, becoming a key star for Disney/Marvel. However, the assault charges cost him the crucial role of “Conqueror Kang” in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and other project announcements.
“In the world we live in, men, especially black men, are either seen as superheroes or super villains. But I realize that personally, I am not that person. I am just a person whose beliefs have been tested, and this testimony has made me even more steadfast,” Majors said.
Several media outlets reported that since Majors’ conviction, he secured the lead in his first film on the 20th. The revenge thriller “Merciless” will be directed by Martin Villeneuve, brother of “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve. It tells the story of a CIA interrogator who must save the woman he loves from evil forces hunting her.
Majors stated that he will no longer take opportunities and success for granted, “In your life, there will always be moments when things turn dark, I mean real darkness. I have seen this darkness in myself, I have sat in utter darkness, and what I have learned is when you catch a glimpse of light, you run towards it desperately, swiftly. I will never think that light is just naturally there anymore.”
Majors expressed gratitude to his family, friends, and the Hollywood community for their support during this challenging period.