Tessa Thompson Reveals She Nearly Rigged Oscars Vote for Michael B. Jordan in Surprising Confession

Actress Tessa Thompson revealed she nearly broke voting rules at the Academy Awards while trying to support a close friend, offering a candid look at the pressures and loyalties behind Hollywood's biggest night.

Speaking in a recent interview, Thompson said she once came close to influencing the outcome of an Oscars vote in favour of actor Michael B. Jordan, her co-star in Creed. She explained that she felt strongly about backing his work but stopped herself before taking any action that would violate the Academy's strict voting rules.

A Candid Recollection

During an episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers on 17 March 2026, Tessa Thompson shared her daily ritual ahead of her Broadway debut. When asked by the host about her thoughts on co-star Michael B. Jordan's Oscar win, she candidly recalled almost rigging the results in favour of Michael B. Jordan.

Thompson's co-star in the Broadway show 'The Fear of 13', Adrien Brody, was presenting the Best Actor award during the Oscars. She said in a lighthearted comment, 'It was so exciting because Adrian left rehearsal to go there, and I knew that he was presenting the best actor, and I almost was like 'Adrian, you better make this happen,'' as shared by NBC.

The host jokingly responded with, 'Did you almost slip him a $50 and [be] like, 'Michael B. Whatever it says, Michael B. what you're reading'?'

The actress responded in jest, 'Exactly. But thankfully he didn't need my help. It was already happening. But I was so excited for him and I'm like over the moon for him and for Ryan.'

Michael B. Jordan secured a career milestone with his Oscar win. He bagged the Best Actor award in the recently concluded 98th Academy Awards on 15 March for his performance in the film Sinners, a genre-blending movie directed and written by Ryan Coogler that combines Southern Gothic, supernatural horror, and crime storytelling.

Sinners took home four Oscars, including Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. The film also set a record with 16 nominations, the most in Oscar history.

Tessa & Michael B. Jordan's Friendship

Thompson and Jordan have built a notable on-screen partnership, most prominently through the Creed film series. In these films, Thompson plays Bianca Taylor, a singer and eventual love interest of Jordan's character, Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed from the Rocky franchise. Their chemistry has long been praised for bringing emotional depth to the films.

Beyond the Creed series, where Thompson and Jordan's collaboration has been widely celebrated by audiences and critics alike making them one of Hollywood's most admired on-screen pairings, the actors have also maintained a strong personal friendship, often speaking publicly about each other's work.

The Pressure Behind Awards Season

The Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences enforces strict rules to ensure that voting remains impartial and free from influence. Thompson's admission sheds light on how those rules operate in practice, particularly among actors who may be voting for peers, collaborators, or close friends.

While her comments were light-hearted, they also point to a broader issue within the industry: the challenge of balancing personal loyalty with the expectation of fairness in high-profile awards. Her candid comments offer a glimpse into how ethical boundaries are tested even in prestigious institutions.

As awards season continues to attract global attention, her admission serves as a reminder that behind every vote are individuals navigating both professional duty and personal connection.