Tenoch Huerta, best known for playing the villainous Namor in Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” is responding to a sexual assault allegation made against him by musician María Elena Ríos. In a statement sent to Variety and posted on his Instagram, Huerta called Ríos’ claims “false and totally unfounded”, adding, “I can’t leave it unchallenged any longer.”
“About a year ago I dated Elena for several months,” Huerta wrote. “It was entirely consensual at all times, as countless others can testify. And throughout this relationship, there has been a loving, warm and mutually supportive relationship. After the end, however, Elena began to distort our interactions both privately and in front of groups of mutual friends.
More Variety
“As a result, a few months ago, I engaged a legal team to take appropriate actions to protect my reputation and refute these irresponsible and false accusations which can cause great harm and damage,” he continued. “While I am by no means perfect, I know these allegations are simply untrue. And while I will always work to improve myself, I must challenge claims that are both false and offensive.
Ríos, a saxophonist and activist, publicly accused Huerta of sexual assault in a Twitter thread in which she called the Marvel actor a “sex predator.”
Huerta added in his statement, “I am deeply grateful to my family and those who have supported me and greatly appreciate anyone who is willing to look at the facts and think things through before rushing to a false and unfair conclusion. .”
Marvel has yet to confirm when Namor de Huerta will reappear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following his debut in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” A representative for Marvel did not respond to Variety requests for comments.
Additional reporting by Adam B. Vary.
The best of variety
Subscribe to the Variety newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.