Summary

Jonathan Majors accepted the Perseverance Award and acknowledges his imperfections.
Reflecting on legal troubles, Majors emphasized the importance of finding light in darkness and appreciated support from industry figures.
Despite career setbacks, Majors expresses gratitude for the support from Will Smith, Tyler Perry, and other industry veterans.

Disgraced Marvel star Jonathan Majorsfought back tears while accepting Hollywood Unlocked’s Perseverance Award at the annual Impact Awards, which took place on Friday. Controversially, the actor, who saw his star rise and fall in quick succession after being found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment, was honored at the event and said in his speech that he acknowledges his “shortcomings” (via THR).

“I’m imperfect. I have shortcomings — I acknowledge them. Perseverance means what? Perseverance means persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay. And the God I serve has put me in a position where I’ve had to embody that word more than I wished or wanted.
We live in a world where men, Black men in particular, are propped up as either superheroes or supervillains. But I’ve come to realize, me, personally, I ain’t none of that. … I’m just that guy whose faith has been tested. It has been strengthened by this testimony.”

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Majors was presented with the award by inspirational speaker and spiritual teacher Iyanla Vanzant and was met with a standing ovation by the crowd as he took to the stage. The Perserverance Award is given annually to “the most inspiring individuals who continue to inspire while facing great challenges,” with Majors reflecting on his legal troubles and saying he has seen “darkness” in himself.

“There will be moments in your life where things get dark, and I mean really dark. … I’ve seen that darkness in myself. 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.”

Jonathan Majors Thanked Will Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Tyler Perry & More for Their Support

Majors’ legal troubles reversed his career trajectory in record time, with the actor receiving critical acclaim for the likes of Creed 3 and The Harder They Fall, before being cast in the pivotal role of Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. While Kang was intended as the main villain in the latest phase of the MCU, Marvel Studios cut ties with the actor following the guilty verdict.

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Majors was sentenced to a 52-week domestic violence intervention program, with the actor thanking those in the industry who have supported him, including Will Smith, Tyler Perry, David Oyelowo, and Whoopi Goldberg.

“Light for me has come in a couple of ways: in the midnight text from my brother Will Smith, letting the homie know, ‘Hey I’m thinking about you man.’ Tyler Perry breathed life into me, just supporting and loving on people the way he does. David Oyelowo and his whole group of threads — I think maybe some of y’all are on that thread, I don’t participate because it’s crazy but I feel the love. Deon and Roxanne Taylor, who gave me a production office when I was walking through the desert feeling lost and crazy, put a battery in my back, as he says.
Courtney B. Vance has been with me from Lovecraft Country, my Uncle George forever. Whoopi Goldberg fed me and [girlfriend] Meagan [Good] one day, we weren’t hungry but was over there hanging out and she breathed this light of wisdom and understanding and caring onto me and my queen. It was Whoopi who allowed us to understand the support of community.”

Jonathan Majors has now scored his first lead role in the revenge thriller, Merciless, from director Martin Villeneuve.