The actor, an Oscar hopeful for his performance in Sinners, recently reflected on past collaborations with director Ryan Coogler, including his iconic role as Erik “Killmonger” Stevens in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Speaking to CBS Sunday Morning, Jordan revealed that embodying the complex antagonist lingered with him long after filming wrapped. “It kind of stuck with me for a bit,” he admitted, explaining that he eventually turned to therapy to process the experience. “I went to therapy and talked about it. Found a way to kind of just decompress.”
Jordan said the experience helped him recognize the importance of stepping away from intense characters. Playing Killmonger—a former Navy SEAL who challenges his cousin T’Challa, portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman, for the throne of Wakanda—sparked deeper self-reflection.
The role, praised for its moral complexity, pushed Jordan into what he described as a broader journey of self-discovery. “It spiraled into a bigger conversation,” he said, adding that therapy became a valuable tool not just professionally, but personally.
Jordan also emphasized the importance of normalizing mental health conversations, especially among men. “I think it’s good for them to go and talk,” he said. “That’s something I’m not ashamed of at all, and very proud of.”
Looking back, the actor credits therapy with helping him grow as a communicator and as a person. “It definitely helped me try to be a well-rounded person, inside and out,” he explained.
Jordan’s portrayal of Killmonger earned widespread acclaim, including a Critics Choice Award nomination and wins at the Teen Choice Awards and NAACP Image Awards. For the actor, however, the lasting impact went beyond trophies—shaping how he approaches both his craft and his life.
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