“This can’t happen”: Jonathan Majors Got Candid About How Yale Reacted to His First ‘Big’ Acting Moment
Before Jonathan Majors was everybody’s favorite Kang the Conqueror, he was the breakout star from When We Rise, which also was his first-ever big role. The show which aired on ABC in 2017, was way ahead of its time and paved the way for many. Besides showcasing the promising star, Majors’ talent it also showcased the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States very aptly.
Therefore, turns out, to secure this role and start working on this project, the actor had to argue and fight with his school, Yale. He literally had to wear them down and force them into accepting his request of continuing his degree while working. Which they eventually did, and did not regret.
Jonathan Majors had to fight tooth and nail with Yale
When We Rise was Jonathan Majors’s first-ever big role. Although the actor did some work here and there previously, the ABC series was the first opportunity that was presented to him to flaunt his talent on camera. In an interview with Paper magazine, Majors explained,
“So I’m a theater kid. I went to North Carolina School of the Arts for my BFA and then did a year in the world and then went off to Yale. And I had done off-Broadway, I had done some very cool regional work, and some student films. But I had not been on a screen set ever. Ever. Except for like at school. I’d played leads before, but on stage. I’d never been on film before.”
So therefore in order to get the role, the actor had to convince Yale to grant his wishes. Although they were very rigid at first, Jonathan Majors managed to wear them down. He said,
“I went to Yale about it, and they were like, “This can’t happen.” And then I went back to them about it, and they were like, “This might happen.” And then I went back to them again, and they were like, “Listen, we realized this was going to happen.””
He then further explained,
“So the school, after some negotiation and arguing and debating and prayer and just communication, ultimately, they had me do all my work satellite.”
But Yale had conditions, if he failed to meet them by the end of the semester, they would have denied him his degree. Therefore, Majors worked tirelessly to balance both boats. He said,
“So I was doing all my schoolwork with all my teachers in my trailer and then running out and going to set. The agreement was that I would come back a week before graduation to present all my work. The caveat was, if the work wasn’t up to par, they were not going to give me my degree.”
Ultimately things worked out pretty well, and nobody regretted their decisions.
Jonathan Majors on When We Rise
Jonathan Majors played the role of Ken Jones, a Vietnam War veteran and gay rights activist who becomes a leader of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. His performance in When We Rise was indeed a breakthrough moment in his career. It showcased his incredible talent and versatility as an actor and opened doors to more significant roles in film and television.
He was captivating and nuanced and brought depth and complexity to the character. He perfectly captured the struggle and resilience of a man fighting against the rigid society for his rights. Since his breakthrough performance in When We Rise, Majors has gone on to star in several critically acclaimed films and television series including being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Jonathan Majors is a force to be reckoned with in the industry presently, and his role in When We Rise played a crucial role in launching his career to new heights.
Source: Paper Magazine
