Michael B. Jordan's Journey to Therapy After Playing Erik Killmonger

Michael B. Jordan has publicly shared his experience of seeking therapy after portraying the character Erik Killmonger in the 2018 Marvel film *Black Panther*. During an interview on *CBS Sunday Morning*, Jordan revealed that immersing himself in the role left a lasting emotional impact. He stated, “After the movie, it kind of stuck with me for a bit. I went to therapy, talked about it, found a way to kind of just decompress.” This reflection highlights the psychological toll that acting can take, particularly when embodying complex characters.

Michael B Jordan says playing Killmonger in Black Panther led him to therapy: 'I needed to decompress from…'

In preparation for the role, Jordan adopted an intense focus that involved significant isolation from his family. He explained, “For a while, in preparation for that role, I didn’t really speak to my family that much. I was kind of isolated a bit.” This approach was intended to help him understand Killmonger's mindset, which is shaped by betrayal and loss. Killmonger's backstory includes the death of his father, N’Jobu, at the hands of T’Chaka, the king of Wakanda, which fuels his anger and desire for revenge against T’Challa, played by the late Chadwick Boseman.

Michael B Jordan says playing Killmonger in Black Panther led him to therapy: 'I needed to decompress from…'

Jordan's therapy sessions became a pivotal part of his personal growth. He emphasized the importance of communication and self-discovery, stating, “Talking is really important.” He noted that the experience of therapy not only helped him process his role but also transformed his understanding of mental health. He expressed pride in seeking help, stating, “That’s something I’m not ashamed of at all and very proud of.” Jordan's journey underscores the necessity of addressing mental health, particularly for men, who may face societal stigma around seeking help.

Michael B Jordan says playing Killmonger in Black Panther led him to therapy: 'I needed to decompress from…'

Jordan's candidness about his mental health journey contributes to a broader conversation about the importance of therapy in the acting profession and beyond. He acknowledged that there is no blueprint for managing the emotional demands of acting, stating, “There’s no blueprint to this. Acting is a solo journey a lot of times.” His experience serves as a reminder of the emotional complexities actors face and the importance of mental health support.

Michael B Jordan says playing Killmonger in Black Panther led him to therapy: 'I needed to decompress from…'

• “After the movie, it kind of stuck with me for a bit. I went to therapy, talked about it, found a way to kind of just decompress. And I think at that point, I was still learning that I needed to decompress from a character,” — Michael B. Jordan

Deadline Hollywood

• “So, for a while, in preparation for that role, I didn’t really speak to my family that much. I was kind of isolated a bit. I went into my hole and tried to live like he would have lived for a bit, whatever that process was,” — Michael B. Jordan

Michael B Jordan says playing Killmonger in Black Panther led him to therapy: 'I needed to decompress from…'

• “’” You know, talking is really important.” — Michael B. Jordan

Variety Magazine

• “So, that’s something I’m not ashamed of at all and very proud of,” — Michael B. Jordan

Deadline Hollywood

Jordan's experience illustrates the profound effects that acting can have on mental health and the importance of seeking support when needed.

Michael B Jordan says playing Killmonger in Black Panther led him to therapy: 'I needed to decompress from…'