In a highly anticipated interview with Good Morning America, former Marvel actor Jonathan Majors denied the charges of assault and harassment leveled against him by his ex-girlfriend, British dancer Grace Jabbari. Majors, who recently received a guilty verdict in a misdemeanor assault trial, tearfully maintained his innocence, stating that he was "reckless with her heart, not with her body."

During the interview, Majors' denial of the charges, along with his emotional display, raised concerns among experts in the field of sexual violence. Sociologist Nicole Bedera identified his tactics as Darvo, an acronym for deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender. Bedera explained that Majors was attempting to deny the reality presented before him and shift blame onto the victim, a common defense strategy employed by individuals seeking empathy.

While Majors faced Linsey Davis of ABC News, the interview lacked rigorous questioning and pushback, allowing the actor to control the narrative. Bedera criticized the lack of interrogation regarding key elements of the incident, including text messages advising Jabbari against seeking medical attention for a head injury.

Despite evidence presented during the trial, which included photographs of Jabbari's injuries and her testimony of being hit and abused by Majors, the actor expressed shock that anyone could believe he was capable of such behavior. Majors admitted to suffering minor injuries himself but failed to address the substantial evidence against him.

The incident, which took place in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, was captured on CCTV footage. Majors attempted to explain his actions by claiming that he feared for his safety, suggesting that he could be a target due to racial biases if he was seen chasing Jabbari.

During the interview, Majors also attributed his behavior to triggers from his childhood traumas and expressed gratitude for the support of his new girlfriend, actor Meagan Good. Critics pointed out that he drew inappropriate comparisons to historical racial violence to gain sympathy and justify his actions.

Toward the end of the interview, Majors, who is currently appealing the verdict, expressed hope for a future in Hollywood. However, his involvement with Marvel Studios has ended, and his upcoming film, Magazine Dreams, has been pulled from release schedules. He has been dropped by his management and PR team and is no longer featured in recruitment ads for the US army.

The decision to grant Majors the platform of GMA, owned by Disney, drew criticism from industry experts, who believe it downplays the severity of his assault conviction. The interview will also be broadcasted on other Disney platforms, including ABC News and Hulu, sparking concerns about shifting public opinion and potential reevaluation of the case.

As the fallout from the interview continues, advocates against rape and domestic violence emphasize the importance of not readjudicating a case that has already been legally resolved. They caution against allowing public opinion to disregard the conviction, highlighting the need to approach these discussions with appropriate care and caution.

It remains to be seen how the public will react to the interview and whether Majors' career in Hollywood can be salvaged, as industry professionals await the response from viewers and fans.