Musician Adam Melchor Reflects on Childhood Bond with Oscar Winner Michael B. Jordan

Following Michael B. Jordan’s 2026 Oscar win for Sinners, musician Adam Melchor shares a touching story about their shared childhood in Newark, N.J.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 6:23 AM EDT

Source: People

A Summer at Newark Arts High

The connection between the two artists is rooted in education. Melchor’s father served as the vice principal of Newark Arts High School, a magnet school where Jordan was a student. Because his father worked year-round, a young Melchor would often accompany him to work during the summer months. It was during these shifts that a then-teenage Jordan "took me under his wing," Melchor recalled. The future movie star spent his breaks playing basketball with Melchor and walking around the school grounds, a gesture that Melchor says "really meant a lot" to him as a child.

From "Hardball" to Hollywood Royalty

Melchor recounted being "super upset" when the summer ended, fearing he would never see his friend again. His father reassured him by taking him to see Jordan's second-ever onscreen performance in the film Hardball that September. This early glimpse of Jordan's talent sparked a lifelong admiration. Interestingly, Melchor’s father revealed at the time that despite his kindness, Jordan faced jealousy and teasing from other students—a narrative that resurfaced years later when Jordan famously confronted a former classmate on a red carpet in 2023.

The Impact of "Sinners"

Jordan's Best Actor win for Sinners solidifies his place at the "top of the mountain," as former costar Miles Teller put it in a congratulatory post. The film has been a juggernaut during the 2026 awards season: