Jonathan Majors cries while accepting Perseverance Award months after assault conviction

Jonathan Majors broke down in tears while emotionally accepting an award on Friday, six months after he was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

The former Marvel star, 34, received the Perseverance Award at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards and was seen wiping away tears as he took the stage, according to a video shared on X by The Hollywood Reporter writer Chris Gardner.

"I reckon folks want to know about the last year," he said. "As a Black man in the criminal justice system, I felt anger, I felt sadness, hurt, surprise."

Majors continued that when he was initially arrested last year, he felt like "a little scared, weak boy" and knew the situation "was bad," despite the "evidence that was in my favor," because of "who I was, and who I am."

"This is what happens to Black people all too often," he said. "Guilt or innocence often have little to do with the outcome. That's a harsh reality I learned."

The "Creed III" actor was arrested in New York in March 2023 and accused of assaulting his girlfriend Grace Jabbari in the back of a car. In December, he was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment, but acquitted of intentional assault and aggravated harassment. Majors had pleaded not guilty.

Jonathan Majors' motion to dismiss assault, harassment conviction rejected by judge

Marvel confirmed it dropped Majors from his role as Kang the Conqueror, the supervillain who was expected to return in the studio's next "Avengers" film, after his conviction. Majors was sentenced to a 52-week domestic violence intervention program, but avoided jail time.

In April, a judge denied Majors' motion to dismiss his conviction. His defense lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, told USA TODAY at the time he was "disappointed by the outcome of the motion" but "upholds respect for the process."

Hollywood Unlocked described the Perseverance Award as an honor given to a person who "has shown that no matter what adversity they face, they will continue to aspire to inspire."

Jonathan Majors breaks silence in interview: 'One of the biggest mistakes of my life'

In his speech, Majors said he has had to "embody" the word perseverance "more than I wished or wanted to." He also said Black men are "propped up as either superheroes or supervillains," and he has realized he is neither.

"I'm imperfect," he said. "I have shortcomings. I acknowledge them."

Jonathan Majors thanks Meagan Good in acceptance speech: 'I love you'

Majors posed on the red carpet at the awards ceremony with his girlfriend, Meagan Good. He thanked "the women in my life," including Good, during his on-stage remarks.

"I love you beyond all limit, with all my strength, with all my heart, I love you," a tearful Majors told Good. "You done carried me so, so, so, so many nights."

The "Lovecraft Country" star also thanked his mom, remembering that she stood behind him when his guilty verdict was read and told him, "It's okay, son."

Just ahead of the awards ceremony, Variety and Deadline reported that Majors has booked his first movie role since his assault conviction in "Merciless," a revenge thriller set to be directed by Denis Villeneuve's brother, Martin Villeneuve.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jonathan Majors emotionally accepts award, thanks Meagan Good