Jonathan Majors has claimed he was sexually abused by both men and women from the age of nine. This revelation comes as part of a series of personal disclosures from the actor, who has largely remained private about his childhood experiences until now.
The 35-year-old actor, who was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, choreographer Grace Jabbari, in 2024, revealed he has been in therapy since his conviction, where he delved into memories of his childhood trauma. Mental health experts note that trauma therapy can often uncover repressed or previously unaddressed memories, particularly in cases of childhood abuse.
Speaking about life after his father left the family home when Jonathan was eight years old, the actor told The Hollywood Reporter: “My pop is a very beautiful man, very gentle, but had some qualities that were not complementary to family life. He was the best dad until he wasn’t. And when he wasn’t, he was gone.” Research shows that parental absence can significantly increase vulnerability to exploitation and abuse in children.
“I dealt with sexual abuse from both men and women from the time I was 9,” Majors said, revealing a painful history that has remained hidden throughout his rise to fame. “From people who are supposed to look after you, in the absence of a father. I was f—-d up.” Statistics indicate that approximately 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse or assault before the age of 18.
Majors explained that he only recently told his mother about the abuse, and she told him how sorry she was for not being able to protect him. This delayed disclosure is common among male survivors of sexual abuse, with studies showing an average disclosure delay of more than 20 years for many male victims.
He said: “I’m like, ‘It’s not even an issue, mom. I just want you to know. And now we can all get busy and continue to connect and grow and learn from it, because it’s something that was in our family.'” Family therapists emphasize that addressing generational trauma can be an important step in personal recovery and healing family relationships.
Jonathan insisted that processing the abuse has helped him to come to terms with his own actions in the past. Psychological research has established connections between childhood trauma and later behavioral issues, though experts caution against viewing this as exculpatory for harmful behaviors in adulthood.
He said: “There are no excuses, but by getting help, you begin to understand things about yourself.” Trauma-informed therapy approaches have shown significant effectiveness in helping survivors understand the impact of past experiences on current behaviors.
Jonathan is attempting a career comeback after being found guilty of two charges in relation to an alleged altercation with Jabbari in 2023. The incident, which occurred in Manhattan, led to a high-profile court case that significantly impacted his rising career in Hollywood.
He was found guilty of assault in the third degree, recklessly causing physical injury and harassment in the second degree, after the trial. Following the conviction, Majors was dropped from several major film projects and faced considerable public backlash.
Majors and Meagan Good, who began dating in spring 2023, got engaged in November 2024. The couple’s relationship has been a source of stability for Majors during his legal troubles and subsequent career challenges.
The actor’s disclosure comes at a time when male survivors of sexual abuse are increasingly speaking out, challenging longstanding stigmas around male victimization. Advocacy groups report that men face unique barriers to disclosure, including societal expectations around masculinity and strength.
Prior to his legal issues, Majors was considered one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars, with prominent roles in major franchises including Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Creed III. His performance in The Last Black Man in San Francisco had established him as a critically acclaimed actor with significant potential.
Mental health professionals emphasize that recovery from childhood sexual abuse is a complex, ongoing process that often requires professional support. For many survivors, addressing these experiences in adulthood can be both challenging and ultimately healing, though the journey is highly individualized.
As Majors attempts to rebuild both personally and professionally, his public acknowledgment of childhood trauma highlights the complex intersection of personal history, accountability, and the process of healing. Experts in trauma recovery note that while understanding the roots of behavior is important, it exists alongside the necessity of taking responsibility for one’s actions as an adult.
Michael B. Jordan wants to make Creed IV with Majors. This potential collaboration would continue the successful boxing franchise that has earned widespread critical acclaim and commercial success across three films.
The pair co-starred in 2023’s Creed III, directed by Jordan, before Majors was found guilty of third-degree assault and second-degree harassment of Jabbari in 2024 but Jordan says he hopes the pair can work together in the future. The conviction resulted in Majors receiving a counseling program sentence and a conditional discharge.
“I would love to make Creed IV together — among other projects,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. Jordan’s directorial debut with Creed III marked a significant achievement in his career, establishing him as a talented filmmaker in addition to his acting prowess.
Other stars have also advocated for Majors’ return to Hollywood after he was sacked by Marvel following his conviction. Marvel Studios had cast Majors as Kang the Conqueror, positioning him as a major villain in their cinematic universe before terminating his contract.
“He was arrested. He went to court. He did what he was supposed to do. I’m not sure what else there is,” Whoopi Goldberg said. Goldberg has frequently used her platform on “The View” to discuss second chances in the entertainment industry.
“I’ve known and know him as someone who is continuously striving to improve as a human, a man and an actor. I believe in him,” Matthew McConaughey, who co-starred with Jonathan in the 2018 crime drama White Boy Rick, said. McConaughey’s support comes amid a broader industry conversation about rehabilitation and redemption.
Major is planning a Hollywood comeback and revealed he has been in talks for a superhero movie. The actor had previously been set to headline several major Marvel projects before his legal troubles.
“No relation to the big guys, DC or Marvel, but a pretty wicked story. I’m glad to be reading,” he said. Independent superhero films have gained increasing prominence in recent years, offering alternative narratives to mainstream comic book adaptations.
He has also been linked to an independent revenge thriller Merciless, to be directed by Martin Villeneuve, brother of Denis. Martin Villeneuve is known for his visually distinctive style, having received recognition for his filmmaking.
“Sometimes it feels like it’s not going to happen. And sometimes it feels like we start next week,” speaking about his career resurgence, he said. Industry insiders note that career comebacks after legal troubles have precedent in Hollywood, with numerous actors successfully returning to prominence after periods of controversy.
The potential Creed IV project would continue the legacy of the Rocky franchise, which began with Sylvester Stallone’s iconic original film. The Creed spin-off series has been praised for successfully reinvigorating the boxing drama for a new generation of audiences.
Jordan, who first portrayed Adonis Creed in 2015, has expanded his role from lead actor to director and producer on the franchise. His production company, Outlier Society, has been committed to promoting inclusion in the film industry through its diverse hiring practices.
The boxing genre has long been a staple in American cinema, with the Creed films receiving particular acclaim for their authentic fight choreography and emotional storytelling. Sports films historically perform well critically and commercially, with boxing dramas among the most successful in the genre.
If produced, Creed IV would enter a marketplace where sports franchises continue to find success, particularly those with established brand recognition. The film would likely explore new challenges for Adonis Creed both in and out of the ring, continuing the character’s journey.
Industry analysts note that audience response to Majors’ potential return would be a significant factor in the film’s development. Social media reactions to Jordan’s comments have been mixed, reflecting the ongoing debate about redemption and consequences in today’s entertainment landscape.
The development of a fourth film would need to accommodate Jordan’s busy schedule, which includes several upcoming directing and producing projects. The Creed franchise has established itself as one of the most successful boxing series in cinema history, carrying forward the legacy of the Rocky films while establishing its own unique identity.
The relationship between Jordan’s character Adonis Creed and Majors’ character Damian Anderson was central to the narrative of Creed III, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption that could potentially be further developed in a sequel.
