Lori Harvey has finally opened up about why her relationship with Michael B. Jordan ended so dramatically after just a year. Did Michael manipulate her into thinking the relationship was genuine, only to leave her feeling used and hurt? It seems like just when we think the drama between these two is over, new details emerge, and they end up throwing shade at each other on social media again. But what exactly did Lori say about Michael, and why does she regret dating him? Let’s get into it.
“Right now, I’m focused on not doing anything that compromises my peace and happiness. It’s important to maintain your power and not give it away to anyone. I think that’s the key to truly being happy, whether you’re in a relationship or not.”
When Lori and Michael first made their relationship Instagram official with some intimate photos, a lot of people thought it was just a PR stunt to create buzz. Fans had mixed feelings about it. Some even accused Lori of using Michael to seem more mature since she was mostly known for dating high-profile guys like Future, Trey Songz, Diddy, and even Diddy’s son. On the other hand, Michael had always kept his relationships very private, with barely any trace of his exes on social media. This made people suspect that the relationship was just for publicity.
Michael suddenly went from being super secretive about his love life to dating one of the most famous people in the world and posting vacation photos all the time. Later, he told People magazine why he decided to be more open about his relationship with Lori compared to his past ones. He said, “I’m still private, and I want to protect that, but I just felt like it was a moment of wanting to put it all out there and move on.” He added, “I’m extremely happy.”
Just a month after celebrating their first anniversary, a source told People magazine that Lori and Michael had broken up, suggesting that Lori might have been the reason for the split. The source said that Michael had matured a lot during their relationship and was ready for a long-term commitment. He opened up emotionally and experienced a romantic relationship for the first time. The source even mentioned that Michael was ready to marry Lori, but she turned him down because she wasn’t ready to commit. Lori was very focused on her career and realized their future plans didn’t align.
It seemed like Michael had become very vulnerable with Lori and wanted to propose, but she turned him down because she was still in her “City Girl” phase. Some people speculated that Lori found Michael boring compared to her more toxic ex, Future. However, sources close to Lori now say that this narrative was part of a strategic plan by Michael to make himself look like the victim when he was actually the one playing Lori all along.
People started to raise eyebrows about Michael after Lori’s parents began dropping subtle hints about him following his split with Lori. It caught everyone’s attention because Steve and Marjorie usually keep quiet about Lori’s love life, regardless of how messy it gets. So, when they decided to speak up about Michael, it hinted that something serious went down. Steve kicked off the speculation with a string of mysterious social media posts, starting with one urging self-love: “Take care of yourself, buddy.” He followed it up with another cryptic message: “Sometimes, the things we’re grateful for are the ones we never expected.” But it was Steve’s comment labeling Lori and Michael’s relationship as a “mistake” that really got people talking. He noted, “She’s growing up in the public eye, where slip-ups aren’t forgiven as easily. While others can mess up in private, her mistakes are spotlighted.” However, he commended Lori for handling it all with grace.
The drama escalated when Lori wiped out every memory of Michael from her Instagram and hit the unfollow button, prompting Michael to do the same in retaliation. Adding more drama, Marjorie chimed in by sharing a video of actress Jennifer Lewis delivering some straight-up advice: “If you stay in a mess for too long, you stop noticing the stink, so get out of there.” Many took Marjorie’s post as a direct shot at Michael, sparking rumors about his behavior towards Lori. Marjorie isn’t one to stir the pot usually, especially when it comes to Lori’s exes, so her actions spoke volumes about what might have gone down between Michael and Lori.
Things took a nosedive when Lori decided to share a snap of a license plate on her Instagram stories bearing the words “Dump him.” That move was totally out of character for Lori, who’s known for moving on swiftly from relationships. So, what exactly pushed Lori and her entire family to this boiling point? Well, it turns out Michael was still entangled with his ex-girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, even while being with Lori. Rumor has it, Michael was just using Lori to polish his public image, especially since he’d faced flak for seemingly favoring light-skinned or white partners over Black women. And it seems Lori caught onto this scheme and confronted him, only to be manipulated into staying. No wonder addressing Michael was the blunder Steve hinted at. The gossip’s juicy, folks.
Later, during an interview with Teyana Taylor, Lori hinted at her ordeal when asked about relationship red flags:
“One of the major red flags for me is if someone’s overly cozy with their exes.”
LisaRaye, who’s tight with Lori’s mom Marjorie, spilled the beans on what really went down between Lori and Michael. “They said she wasn’t ready, but when a woman finds a good man, that’s what she’s looking for. Michael had a serious previous relationship, and I think the pressure of social media and everything was too much for him. I’ve heard about his ex, they were serious, he might have missed…” LisaRaye carefully chose her words, hinting at Michael’s manipulation of Lori. Despite her attempts to be discreet, her insinuations were crystal clear, and people caught on. While many unfairly blamed Lori for the split, the truth was Michael’s betrayal—he was juggling both Lori and another woman. It’s a real messy situation.
The fallout ignited a storm on social media, with many calling out Michael’s behavior. One commenter didn’t hold back, saying, “Michael played Lori, cheating on her with that other woman the whole time. Lori deserves better than him.” Another echoed the sentiment, “I always felt Michael wasn’t right for Lori. Something felt off. Lori is young, beautiful, and smart; she deserves someone who appreciates her.”
Meanwhile, Lori is focused on healing and moving forward, emphasizing that she doesn’t want to be defined by her relationships. “This is my moment,” she told Essence. “I’ve always been associated with someone or something. I know my value and won’t settle for less.”
Now, I’m curious about your take. How do you feel about Michael’s manipulation of Lori? Do you see it as karma for her past relationships? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and check out this other intriguing video.