“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” star Tenoch Huerta Says Sexual Assault Claims Are Untrue

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Tenoch Huerta is shutting down allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman. 

Huerta released a statement via Instagram on Monday, denying the claims made by saxophonist and women’s rights activist María Elena Ríos. She previously called Huerta a “sexual predator” in several Spanish-language tweets, accusing the 42-year-old of mistreating her in every way. However, Huerta says Rios is an ex-girlfriend of his and maintains he never harmed her. 

“About a year ago, I dated Elena for several months. It was entirely consensual at all times, as countless others can attest.” Huerta described their romance as “loving, warm, and mutually supportive,” clearly a stark contrast from what Rios described as being an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship. The actor accused Rios of spreading misinformation about their time together once things ended, blasting him to their mutual friends and the public. 

In her series of tweets, Rios did not detail what exactly transpired between the two. However, she did share that she was hesitant to come forward initially due to the harassment she might face. 

“I was afraid that this would happen: people who refuse to believe that a SUPER HERO is an abuser, manipulator, and sexual predator,” one tweet read in Spanish.

¿Por qué me tarde en hablarlo?
Porque tengo un proceso.

¿Por qué no denuncié?
Porque me dio miedo de que esto pasara: personas que se resisten a creer que un SÚPER HÉROE es abusador, manipulador y depredador sexual .

Si, tú @TenochHuerta abusas porque sabes que tienes poder. pic.twitter.com/VXHpMmI7hB

— •𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐑í𝐨𝐬 🎷 (@_ElenaRios) June 11, 2023

Huerta has now retained a legal team to fight Rios’s allegations. Though he is widely known for roles in “Narcos” and “The Forever Purge,” it is his appearance as Namor in the “Black Panther” sequel that has thrust him into superstardom. Marvel has not commented on the matter.