In 2009, Disney bought Marvel Studios and things took off. In the more than 10 years it has been a part of The Walt Disney Company, Marvel Studios has become one of the company’s biggest moneymakers. Fans could not get enough of superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther, Thor, Black Widow, and more. In fact, out of the top ten highest-grossing films of all time, three of those films are Marvel films — Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and The Avengers. Actors who star in Marvel films are shot to superstardom.
While many actors would love the break that comes with being a Marvel star, that level of fame can come with a cost. On June 9, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star, Tenoch Huerta, was accused of sexual assault by Mexican activist Maria Elena Rios.
I made it very clear to them when I left their sect that they protect the violator and sexual PREDATOR of @TenochHuerta that they not publish anything about me. They still went to look for me at a hypocritical ball concert to avoid scandals over their @MarvelLATAM movie.
I’m not playing@LaMZapata
Les dejé muy claro a mi salida de su secta que protege al violentador y DEPREDADOR sexual de @TenochHuerta que no publicaran nada de mí. Todavía fueron a buscarme a un concierto bola de hipócritas para evitar escándalos por su película de @MarvelLATAM.
No ando jugando @LaMZapata https://t.co/3wf1ofyFx1
— • 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐑í𝐨𝐬 🎷 (@_ElenaRios) June 10, 2023
Rios continued her accusations, saying that Huerta was emotionally abusive. She also claims that Rios abused his power during the time she knew him.
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 character in a movie like @TenochHuerta
Charming in appearance, the great hallmark of a narcissist + a good helping of victimization.
Es muy difícil hablar del abuso emocional y abuso de poder de un depredador sexual que es amado en el mundo por interpretar a un personaje de una película como @TenochHuerta
En apariencia encantador, la gran característica de un narcisista + una buena porción de victimización.
— • 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐑í𝐨𝐬 🎷 (@_ElenaRios) June 11, 2023
Within days of claiming Huerta was a “sexual predator”, Huerta released a statement. The actor claimed that he and Rios were in a consensual relationship for several months. Huerta said that things only became contentious when the two broke up. It was then that Rios began to make accusations against him to their mutual friends and family.
“About a year ago, I dated Elena for several months. 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.
“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. 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.”
Huerta is not the only Marvel star to have serious allegations levied against them in recent months. Loki star Jonathan Majors — who played new villain, Kang — was arrested for assaulting and strangling a woman he was in a relationship with. Majors has denied assaulting her and is currently dealing with court hearings.
Neither Disney nor Marvel have commented on the claims made against Huerta. Huerta’s Marvel character, Namor, first appeared in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but he is expected to return. According to reports, Namor will make his return to the MCU in Marvel’s Phase Six film, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The movie is slated to be released on May 2, 2025.
