María Elena Ríos, a saxophonist and activist, accused Tenoch Huerta of sexual assault over the weekend and even stated that the Poder Prieto movement is a cult.
“Why did it take me so long to speak out? Because I have a process. Why didn’t I report it? Because I was afraid of this happening: people who refuse to believe that a superhero is an abuser, manipulator, and sexual predator. Yes, you, Tenoch Huerta, you abuse because you know you have power,” she said.
According to her post, Ríos was also part of Poder Prieto but left after the members refused to pay her for material they reproduced without her authorization.
She also mentioned that since making her accusation public, she has received threats from the collective and individuals on social media.
Huerta, on the other hand, issued a statement denying all the allegations and stating that he had a consensual relationship with the saxophonist for a few months about a year ago.
“It was entirely consensual at all times, as many can attest. And throughout it all, it was a loving, warm, and mutually supportive relationship. However, after it ended, Elena began distorting our interactions both privately and in front of groups of mutual friends,” he details.
As a result, he had to hire a legal team “to take the necessary actions to protect my reputation and refute these irresponsible and false accusations that can cause harm and damage.”
He concluded by expressing gratitude for the support he has received and acknowledging that, although he is not perfect, Ríos’ accusations are “misguided” and “offensive.”
Tenoch Huerta, best known for playing the villainous Namor in Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” is firing back against a sexual assault allegation made against him by musician María Elena Ríos. In a statement sent to Variety and published on his Instagram, Huerta called Ríos’ claims “false and completely unsubstantiated,” adding, “I cannot let it go 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 attest. And throughout it was a loving, warm and mutually supportive relationship. After it ended, however, Elena began to misrepresent our interactions both privately and in front of groups of mutual friends.
“As a result, a few months ago, I engaged a legal team to commence the appropriate actions to protect my reputation and refute these irresponsible and false accusations that can cause great prejudice and damage,” he continued. “Although I am by no means perfect, I know that these allegations are simply untrue. And while I will always work to improve myself, I need to contest 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 “sexual predator.”
Huerta added in his statement: “I am deeply grateful to my family and the people who have supported me and greatly appreciate everyone who is willing to look at the facts and reflect before rushing to an untrue and unjust conclusion.”
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