After a recent interview with ABC, actor Jonathan Majors, found himself in the crosshairs of Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter, Bernice King, after invoking the name of Coretta Scott King, MLK’s widow. With allegations of assault and harassment looming, Jonathan defends his use of Coretta’s name, expressing his utmost respect for the iconic figure and her enduring legacy.
Jonathan’s Comments That Sparked Initial Backlash
Addressing the backlash, Jonathan emphasizes his intention to convey respect for Coretta Scott King, acknowledging her monumental achievements and the profound connection she shared with her husband. He explains that his admiration extends to both Coretta’s personal legacy and her crucial role in American and world history.
Jonathan further highlights the powerful influence Coretta Scott King has had on him and his girlfriend, actress Meagan Good. In fact, he compares Meagan’s unwavering support to that of Coretta, stating, “She’s an angel. … She’s held me down like a Coretta. I’m so blessed to have her.” Jonathan’s reference to Coretta seemingly as an angelic figure demonstrated his respect for her. However, it also sparked backlash from many online who pointed out the irony that Jonathan was telling his White girlfriend (at that time) to emulate an African-American civil rights icon; and the first African-American First Lady of the U.S.
Majors Addresses Bernice King’s Concerns?
Following the interview, Bernice King took to X (formerly Twitter) to swiftly express her discontent, pointing out that her iconic mother should not be treated as a prop:
“My mother wasn’t a prop.” – Bernice A. King
While Jonathan does not mention the interaction directly in his latest statement, he assured that his intentions regarding his comments about Coretta Scott-King were pure and rooted in respect:
Via TMZ – “My intention was to convey my utmost respect for Coretta Scott King, her achievements, and both her personal legacy and the one she shares with her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King. … Coretta “is a great woman, a very important figure in American and world history, and someone both Meagan and I are inspired by and deeply admire.” – Jonathan Majors
The Trial and Jonathan’s Previous Coretta Comparison
During the trial, audio clips revealed that Jonathan had encouraged his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, to emulate both Coretta Scott King and Michelle Obama. It is clear that Jonathan holds these influential women in high regard. But the jury found him guilty of assault and harassment against Jabbari, despite viewing surveillance footage of Jonathan running away from Grace during their alleged altercation.
Only Time Will Tell
In spite of the criticism and potential implications, as y’all can see…Jonathan remains unapologetic for utilizing Coretta’s name. He firmly asserts that his immense respect for her remains intact. Only time will reveal how – or if – Coretta’s fam’ will respond to after Jonathan’s latest statement.
