Jordan Stephens says #MeToo made him ‘face some really harsh truths’ about his treatment of women

‘I wasn’t necessarily living in a way that reflected my feminist views,’ actor and performer says

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Jordan Stephens has revealed the #MeToo movement led him to reevaluate his past relationships with women, prompting him to “face some really harsh truths”.

Speaking to The Independent‘s dating and relationships podcast “Millennial Love”, the writer and Rizzle Kicks performer explained that he behaved in a way that didn’t reflect his feminist views.

“I was very good at pointing fingers,” the 27-year-old said. “I hadn’t necessarily looked at my own patterns.

“I think accountability is basically really important and for me personally, I needed to face some really harsh truths in order to move past them, which is painful and uncomfortable.”

The actor went on to explain that while he had never physically abused anyone, when the #MeToo movement began, he recognised “a parallel on a smaller scale”.

“I haven’t been to the more extreme end of the spectrum,” he added. “I do feel as though the energy behind that, or let’s say the suppressed pain or wounds that manifest that kind of behaviour, I definitely have my own version of that.

“My actions as a result of that wound have I think been something I’ve wanted to change.”

Stephens also discussed his experience with emotional neglect and coercive behaviour, which he recognised as damaging forms of behaviour.

Elsewhere in the episode, Stephens recalls discussing #MeToo with an ex-girlfriend, who explained that he would only be able to empathise so much because he has never felt “physically threatened” during sex.

Stephens confessed that the thought that had previously crossed his mind. “And that was after me considering myself a feminist,” he added. “I never thought of that. In no point have I ever been in a sexual scenario and thought I wouldn’t be able to get out of it. [Men are] not taught that.”

You can listen to the full interview on “Millennial Love” here.