The hit Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced actor Tenoch Huerta to an international audience. His charisma charmed many during the press junkets promoting the film, further cementing his stardom. He had previously been working mainly in the Latin American and Mexican markets.
On June 10, 2023, musician María Elena Ríos accused him of abuse in a series of tweets. Ríos and Huerta were previously in a relationship. Huerta denied her claims in a statement given to Variety magazine.
Ríos' accusation tweets were originally written in Spanish. The following is a translation of one of them: “Why am I late in talking about it? Because I have a process. Why didn’t I report?… Because I was afraid that this would happen: people who refuse to believe that a SUPER HERO is an abuser, manipulator and sexual predator. Yes, you @TenochHuerta abuse because you know you have power.”
Huerta felt he had to respond, saying, “I cannot let it go unchallenged any longer.” He called Ríos’ accusations “false and completely unsubstantiated.” He explained his side of the story to Variety and also posted it on his social media channels.
“About a year ago, I dated Elena for several months,” he began. “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.”
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Huerta believed he had to protect himself. “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 went on to say. “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.”
Huerta went on to express how thankful he is to those who are standing by him during this time. “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,” he wrote.
