By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Jonathan Majors Responds to 'Effeminate' Cover Story Backlash
"It's always good to make a ruckus."
Lovecraft Country star Jonathan Majors is a cover boy on the latest issue of Ebony Magazine, and the photos went viral for... obvious reasons.
Majors just appeared as Kang in the latest Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania movie as well as opposite Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan in the upcoming Creed III film, so he's clearly a hot ticket right now. He's had a steady rise over the last few years that many would consider odd for a leading Black man, even appearing as the young gay activist Ken Jones inWhen We Rise.
"What I’m trying to do with my work is show nothing is monolith," Majors told Ebony. "Not Blackness, not maleness, not comic-book villains."
His photos certainly reflect that, a soft and colorful palette juxtaposed to his substantial muscles and presence.
But not everyone loved the shoot, particularly some people who felt like Majors was being "emasculated."
“Uh…..so I guess I’m the only one who sees this cover as kinda effeminate???” one comment read. "What happened to masculine hot straight men. Pathetic," said another. Another person tweeted, "Sad your rag does this to men. No one likes it."
That's certainly not true. We like it! But some folks death grip on heteronormativity and traditional masculine roles have them determined to be upset about it. Also, they're clearly forgetting it's Ebony's Valentine's Day issue. And his stylist Alexander-Julian Gibbson also said Majors' look was inspired by basketball player Allen Iverson and the anime One Piece, particularly the character Doflamingo.
Majors responded to the drama on the Ant-Man red carpet. "It's always good to make a ruckus."
Some folks are just determined to have a bad time. We'll turn up the volume on Ebony's behind-the-scenes footage over their whines.
\u201cJoin us behind the scenes of our February cover shoot with Hollywood's Most Wanted, Jonathan Majors. Come see him express his Black masculinity in ways we've never seen before. Access our exclusive February Cover Experience at https://t.co/G7nqMKum95.\nhttps://t.co/euZQrQ0BIQ\u201d— EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONY MAGAZINE) 1675782276
Yes, Jonathan Majors attended the Yale School of Drama and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 2016.
Majors plays Kang the Conqueror in the newest Marvel movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Majors was born on September 7, 1989. He currently 33-years-old.
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
