Former Marvel actor Jonathan Majors, who was recently found guilty in a misdemeanor assault and harassment trial involving his ex-girlfriend, is still denying the charges. In a recent interview, he claimed that he was “reckless with her heart, not with her body,” sparking criticism from experts in the field of domestic violence.
Nicole Bedera, a sociologist who studies sexual violence, has stated that Majors’ interview displayed classic tactics of Darvo – deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender. According to Bedera, this is a common defense strategy used by men seeking empathy after behaving badly.
During the interview, Linsey Davis of ABC News failed to directly challenge Majors on key aspects of the case, allowing him to characterize his decision to sit down for the interview as “being brave and giving my side of the story.” Despite presenting photographic evidence of his ex-girlfriend’s injuries and her testimony of being physically assaulted by Majors, the actor continued to deny any wrongdoing.
Majors attempted to explain away incriminating CCTV footage, characterizing himself as the victim and blaming his ex-girlfriend for triggering his personal traumas and thoughts of suicide. He also took the opportunity to praise his new girlfriend and castigate his ex-girlfriend, making references to race in the process.
Following the guilty verdict, Majors was fired by Marvel Studios and lost several professional opportunities. However, despite his conviction, he expressed confidence in his ability to work in Hollywood again. The interview has sparked criticism from professionals in the field of domestic violence, who believe it provides a platform for Majors to downplay his assault conviction.
The decision by ABC to conduct and air this interview has raised concerns, as the network is owned by Disney, which also owns Marvel. Many are watching to see how the public reacts to this interview and its potential impact on perceptions of domestic violence and legal convictions.