Jason Mitchell Speaks out About Firing From 'The Chi,' Denies Sexual Misconduct
Mitchell also opens up about being terminated from a role in the forthcoming Netflix movie Desperados.
Back in May, Jason Mitchell was fired from Lena Waithe's Showtime series The Chi following numerous allegations of inappropriate conduct. Today, he joined The Breakfast Club radio show in an interview to deny the allegations and share his side of the firing.
Actress Tiffany Boone and showrunner Ayanna Floyd Davis previously alleged Mitchell showcased "inappropriate behavior." Following this, The Hollywood Reporter reports that "crew and writers had to attend training sessions about what is and isn't appropriate on set." Prior to his firing from The Chi, Mitchell was also fired from the Netflix film Desperados while it was in pre-production.
During the interview, Mitchell shared "actually was no situation with Tiffany" and that Boone was allegedly "put in a position" because Floyd Davis made a statement on behalf of Boone. He added, "She had a lot to say, but she was the only person that ever made a statement at all."
When speaking of Desperados he shared:
"I went out with a co-worker of mine and she got drunk. I made sure she got home and the next day it all kind of slapped me in my face, I'm not sure if her and her significant other had a situation.... I actually had a girlfriend at the time too as well, and I felt like I was doing the right thing. The next day they canceled the rehearsal, I told them my side of the story and I don't know if there was something that I missed."
On The Chi allegations:
"The actual reason that I got let go was because Disney saw what was going on with Desperados and they just bought Showtime, so they decided not to pick up my option. I've been on the show for what was about to be three seasons. I was nominated for an award, so you know, I was asking for money and all these different sorts of things and they just weren't down to do it."
When recanting his version of what ultimately led to his firing from The Chi, he didn't dig too deep when touching on Boone and Floyd Davis' allegations. He did however deny inappropriate behavior with Boone.
Later in the interview, he reiterated that Boone and him did not have a situation as the press made it seem during when the allegations went public. He expanded on this by noting that Floyd Davis had used the "#MeToo Movement as a really, really ugly weapon" after the two had a heated discussion.
He then shared, "I might have unintentionally sort of intimidated her and I can take that L. For me I can definitely take my L and say, I could have handled that better. There was a time where I could have just walked off."
Mitchell later said that he was fired from The Chi because of his behavior in Mexico during production of Desperados. To clear up rumors that Boone left the show because of him he noted that she left due to getting a better job elsewhere.
Watch the interview below.