Jonathan Majors is facing more legal backlash over his alleged “history of domestic abuse” against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, who accused the former Marvel star of assault, battery and defamation in a new lawsuit.
Jabbari, who testified against the 34-year-old “Creed III” and “Lovecraft Country” actor in a high-profile assault and harassment case last year, filed his lawsuit in federal court in New York on Tuesday. He also accused the actor of intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious prosecution, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times.
“This case arises from a pattern of widespread domestic abuse that began in 2021 and extended into 2023,” the complaint says. “The totality of the circumstances and history of domestic abuse are relevant to understanding the severity of the harm suffered by Grace Jabbari.”
In a statement shared with The Times, Jabbari's attorney, Brittany Henderson, said the movement coach's “resolve has never wavered” and praised her client's “tremendous bravery in his pursuit of accountability.”
The statement continues: “This action will shed light on the truth, giving it the finality and justice it deserves.”
In response to Jabbari's lawsuit, Majors' lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, told The Times that the complaint is “not a surprise” and that the actor's legal team is “preparing counterclaims against Ms. Jabbari.”
Multiple incidents of alleged abuse by Majors against Jabbari are at the center of his lawsuit. Jabbari met the breakout star of “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” in August 2021 on the set of Marvel’s “Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania” in London. She served as a movement coach and he played franchise villain Kang.
According to the complaint, Majors began displaying “concerning behavior” shortly after he and Jabbari began dating. His aggressive attitude toward his then-girlfriend began to escalate, the lawsuit says, until he allegedly attacked her for the first time in July 2022. Among the alleged incidents detailed in Jabbari's complaint is the March 2023 dispute that led to the The actor's highly publicized relationship. , domestic violence case lasting months.
Majors was arrested on March 25, 2023 for a confrontation with Jabbari during a car ride in Manhattan the night before. The case played out in court as Manhattan prosecutors contemplated Majors' alleged “cruel and manipulative pattern of physical and psychological abuse” and his defense claimed that Jabbari's accusations were part of his efforts to “ruin Jonathan Majors and take away everything he had dedicated his entire life.” working for.”
Majors was found guilty of assault and harassment on December 18, but also acquitted of an additional charge of aggravated assault and harassment.
Jabbari's lawsuit also challenges Majors' interview with ABC News, which aired less than a month after his conviction. She alleges that during the interview he “intentionally made deliberately false statements” about the events of the March 2023 dispute, accusing him and his legal representative of defaming him.
“The false statements that Majors made personally and through his authorized agent, Chaudhry, not only called into question the veracity and integrity of the plaintiff, but also exposed her to public hatred, contempt, ridicule and disgrace,” says the demand.
Jabbari has requested a jury trial and is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Majors, who faces up to a year in prison, will be sentenced April 8. Sentencing, initially set for February, was delayed to resolve defense motions.
Times researcher Scott Wilson contributed to this report.
