On March 25, 2023, actor Jonathan Majors was arrested on misdemeanor charges of strangulation, assault, and harassment in connection with an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend. The incident caused many to look deeper into the rising star's past. Rolling Stone magazine conducted a three-month investigation into the Creed III actor and published its shocking findings in June.
The article claims that Jonathan’s “extreme abuse” has been going on for a decade. He was allegedly abusive to his romantic partners, coworkers, and fellow Yale students. Jonathan’s legal team denies these allegations.
The writers behind the piece, Cheyenne Roundtree and Althea Legaspi, spoke to over 40 people who knew Jonathan from different times in his life. They spoke to fellow graduate students who studied with him at Yale, colleagues in the industry, and those who knew about his romantic relationships. All of these people painted a portrait of a mercurial man who could go from charming to cold in an instant.
The sources for the article only spoke on the record with the promise of anonymity. They feared repercussions from Jonathan should their names be published. Some were even bound by nondisclosure agreements.
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There was a common theme in the stories collected. These sources alleged Jonathan was physically and mentally abusive. He was allegedly involved in multiple physical altercations at Yale. He continued this behavior on Hollywood sets, reportedly mistreating crew members.
More than a dozen sources raised concerns about Jonathan’s treatment of his romantic partners. They alleged he physically abused one and emotionally abused another. “It was pervasively known that he was [a good actor], and that he also would terrorize the people that he had dated,” one source stated.
The sources claim Jonathan strangled one of these partners. Another partner allegedly told her friends her relationship with him was “emotional torture.” Rolling Stone chose not to publish their names to further protect them from Jonathan’s wrath, but notes it thoroughly vetted the claims.
“My experience in dealing with him and watching him in relationships with several women [is] really upsetting,” stated a source. “As an outside observer, it made me uncomfortable.”
Jonathan’s bad behavior allegedly also extended to his work life. Two sources claim that on the set of his latest film, Magazine Dreams, Jonathan pushed a crew member and physically intimated another. Another source claims only one complaint was made against Jonathan during filming.
Jonathan has adamantly disputed these claims through his legal team. “Jonathan Majors vehemently denies Rolling Stone’s false allegations that he physically, verbally, or emotionally abused anyone, let alone any of his past romantic partners,” Jonathan’s lawyer Dustin A. Pusch stated. “These allegations are based entirely on hearsay because neither of the romantic partners referenced were willing to engage with Rolling Stone for the article — demonstrating their outright falsity.” Jonathan “also denies any allegations of abuse, violence, or intimidation during his time at Yale.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women's shelter (domesticshelters.org).
