Tenoch Huerta, 42, announces withdrawal from Netflix film after recent sexual assault allegations
Tenoch Huerta has announced that he is leaving the Netflix movie ‘Fiesta en la Madriguera’ after recent sexual assault allegations.
The 42-year-old Mexican actor was charged with sexual assault earlier this month by musician and activist Maria Elena Rios, who claimed he was a “sexual predator.” Huerta has denied the allegations.
In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, Huerta said: “Given the impact of the recent false statements by María Elena Ríos and the damage they have caused, I have no choice but to withdraw from participating in the film Fiesta en la Madriguera. ‘
“It is with great sadness that I do this, but I cannot allow her actions to harm not only me, but the work of dozens of talented and hard-working people involved in the project,” the statement continued.
“My focus now is simple: continuing the process of restoring my reputation,” the statement concluded.
Retraction Announcement: Tenoch Huerta, screened last November in New York City, has announced that he is leaving the Netflix film ‘Fiesta en la Madriguera’ following recent sexual assault allegations
Denying the rumours: The Mexican actor, 42, earlier this month vehemently denied the saxophonist’s claims that he is a “sexual predator” in a lengthy statement, uploaded to his Instagram Stories (pictured as Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever )
“That is why a few months ago I engaged a legal team to take the appropriate measures to protect my reputation and to refute these irresponsible and false allegations, which can cause great prejudice and damage,” he said.
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star took to social media earlier this month for vehemently denying the saxophonist’s claims.
“A false and completely baseless accusation about me has spread like wildfire – and I can no longer let it go unchallenged,” he told his more than 1.2 million Instagram followers.
The father-of-two, who starred in a number of films in Latin America and Spain, continued: “About a year ago, I dated Elena for several months. It was completely united at all times, as countless others can attest. And throughout it was a loving, warm and mutually supportive relationship.”
He claimed that after they broke up, his ex began misrepresenting their “interactions both in private and in front of groups of mutual friends.”
“That is why a few months ago I engaged a legal team to take the appropriate measures to protect my reputation and to refute these irresponsible and false allegations, which can cause great prejudice and damage,” he said.
Huerta went on to say that while he’s “definitely not perfect,” he knows that “these allegations just aren’t true.”
“And while I will always work to improve myself, I must fight against claims that are both false and offensive,” he concluded. “I am deeply grateful to my family and the people who have supported me and greatly appreciate anyone who is willing to look at the facts and think before jumping to an untrue and unjust conclusion.”
“A false and completely baseless accusation about me has spread like wildfire — and I can no longer let it go unchallenged,” he told his more than 1.2 million Instagram followers.
Ríos on social media accused the actor of being “a violent and sexual predator” who was protected to “avoid scandals over their Marvel movie” in a series of tweets translated from Spanish.
Huerta is best known for his role as Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
“I made it very clear to them when I left their group that they are protecting @TenochHuerta’s violent and sexual PREDATOR that they have not published anything about me. They still went looking for me at a concert of hypocrites to avoid scandal for their @MarvelLATAM movie,” she wrote.
“It is very difficult to talk about the emotional abuse and abuse of power of a sexual predator who is loved in the world for playing a movie character like @TenochHuerta.”
“Charming in appearance, the great mark of a narcissist + a good dose of victimization,” she added.
She also wrote: “And why didn’t you come forward?” They say those who live in a macho country, where justice is unattainable, where they almost kill you and yet they don’t believe you or justice will come.
His side: The father of two, who starred in a number of films in Latin America and Spain, continued, “About a year ago, I dated Elena for several months. It was completely united at all times, as countless others can attest. And throughout it was a loving, warm and mutually supportive relationship.”
Speaking out: Screening in Mexico City in January, Ríos accused the actor of being “a violent and sexual predator” who was protected to “avoid scandals over their Marvel movie” in a series of tweets translated from the Spanish
And no, I don’t want to be famous. And no, I don’t want money because I know how to work,” she posted.
In the comments to her posts, she alluded to the fact that there are “several” women who may have also been attacked by Huerta.
After his breakthrough role in Wakanda Forever, the Mexican actor is rumored to reprise his role as Namor in the upcoming film Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
Huerta will also star in the upcoming Netflix series El Elegido [The Chosen One] opposite Dianna Agron and Bobby Luhnow. The series was previewed at Netflix’s recent Tudum global fan festival in Brazil and is scheduled for release in August.