EX IS SUING MAJORS
Jabbari claims defamation and battery by ‘Creed III’ star
Actor Jonathan Majors was sued for defamation and battery in Manhattan on Tuesday by his ex-girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari, less than a month before he’s set to be sentenced for assaulting her.
In Manhattan Federal Court papers, attorneys for Jabbari allege a litany of examples of “pervasive domestic abuse” she suffered under Majors throughout their 19-month relationship, beginning in September 2021 with derogatory name-calling and psychological manipulation and escalating to violent attacks by the following July.
The professional dancer’s suit brings into more explicit focus a September 2022 incident in London that she partially testified about at Majors’ trial.
After putting Jabbari in a headlock and his hand over her mouth following an argument, the actor allegedly “held his hands around her neck, stating that he wanted to kill her, and that he was going to kill her,” the suit reads.
“Majors then started hitting Grace’s head against the marble floor while strangling her until she felt she could no longer breathe.”
Jurors at Majors’ Manhattan Criminal Court trial saw text messages he sent Jabbari after the alleged incident, for which he was not charged, showing Majors convincing her not to seek medical attention for a head injury.
“I’m a monster. A horrible man. Not capable of love. I am killing myself soon. I’ve already put things in motion,” Majors is quoted during the same exchange.
The tumultuous relationship came to a halt months later in March 2023 after an argument in the back of a private car driving through lower Manhattan — the basis of Majors’ conviction and professional ruining. The “Creed III” actor was found guilty of third-degree reckless assault and second-degree harassment for fracturing Jabbari’s finger during the car ride after she grabbed his phone on Dec. 18. He faces up to a year in jail when sentenced on April 8.
Jabbari’s suit says that when Majors could no longer physically hurt her, he resorted to “very publicly abusing her reputation,” including accusing her of lying on ABC a day after the verdict and accusing her of being the aggressor in the relationship to police, leading to her brief arrest on domestic violence charges that prosecutors quickly rejected.
“Majors undertook a concerted campaign to discredit and defame Grace by attacking her honesty and truthfulness and impugning her mental health,” the suit reads, adding that his public comments have resulted in death threats.
Majors’ arrest derailed the up-and-coming Hollywood star’s acting career, with Marvel and Disney dropping him from all projects after the verdict.
He has continued to deny Jabbari’s account vehemently.
Reached for comment about Jabbari’s lawsuit, his attorney, Priya Chaudhry, said, “This is no surprise. Mr. Majors is preparing counterclaims against Ms. Jabbari.”
The suit also details how Jabbari’s experience with Majors came after he allegedly abused his fiancé from 2015 to 2019 “in an eerily similar pattern,” reported on by The New York Times following Majors’ conviction.
Jabbari is seeking unspecified damages and lists five causes of action, including defamation, battery and malicious prosecution.
“Grace Jabbari’s resolve has never wavered. She has shown tremendous bravery in her quest for accountability,” her attorney, Brittany Henderson, said. “This action will shed light on the truth, bringing her the finality and justice that she deserves.”