In an unforgettable moment of empathy, Iyanla Vanzant earned widespread praise for comforting a weeping Jonathan Majors on stage during the Hollywood Unlocked Awards.
Earlier this year, Jonathan Majors escaped jail when he was sentenced to probation and ordered to complete a year-long counseling program for assaulting his ex-girlfriend in a high-profile case.
The 34-year-old star of “Creed III” faced up to a year in prison after being convicted of misdemeanor assault by a Manhattan jury in December.
The conviction stemmed from an altercation in March in which Majors’ then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari accused him of assaulting her in the backseat of a chauffeured car, claiming he hit her head with his open hand, twisted her arm behind her back, and fractured her middle finger.
Jonathan Major’s legal troubles shifted the course of his fast-rising career. Majors was set to play Kang the Conqueror in the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following appearances in “Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania” and “Loki.”
He was removed from all future MCU films when the verdict was announced.
Iyanla Vanzant presented Jonathan with the Perseverance Award at the 2024 Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards. Jonathan immediately fell into Iyanla’s arms when he stepped on stage and wept.
The viral clip details the moment Jonathan was comforted by Iyanla, who kissed his forehead and cheeks, dried his tears, and rubbed his shoulders and back.
Majors shed tears onstage at the awards ceremony as he reflected on his experience since the legal tussle with his ex-girlfriend started.
“Perseverance means what?” he said. “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.”
He continued, “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.”
Fans and fellow celebrities alike praised Vanzant for her genuine care and the powerful example she set by assisting someone in their vulnerable state.
For Jonathan Majors, it was a moment of vulnerability met with grace. At the same time, for Iyanla Vanzant, it was yet another example of her extraordinary ability to heal and uplift those around her.
