Tenoch Huerta, best known for playing villain Namor in Black Panther 2, has denied allegations of sexual assault.
The allegations were made against the 42-year-old Marvel star by musician María Elena Ríos.
In a statement published on Instagram on Monday, the Mexican actor called Ríos’s claims ‘false and unsubstantiated’.
He also insisted he ‘couldn’t let [them] go unchallenged any longer’.
Huerta’s full statement read: ‘A false and completely unsubstantiated accusation about me has spread like wildfire – and I cannot let it go unchallenged any longer.’
Huerta went on: ‘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.’
The star continued: ‘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.’
He concluded: ‘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.’
Over the past few days, professional saxophonist Ríos accused Huerta of sexual assault in a series of tweets and referred to him as a ‘sexual predator’.
One tweet read: ‘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.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Huerta’s reps for comment.
