Tenoch Huerta Explained

Tenoch Huerta
Birth Name:José Tenoch Huerta Mejía
Birth Date:1981 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Ecatepec, State of Mexico, Mexico
Occupation:Actor
Other Names:Tenoch Huerta Mejía
Years Active:2006–present
Notable Works:

José Tenoch Huerta Mejía (pronounced as /es/; born 29 January 1981)[1] is a Mexican actor. He has appeared in a number of movies in Latin America and Spain, starring in both feature films, short films, and , credited as Tenoch Huerta. He is featured in Mónica Maristain's book, 30 Actors Made in Mexico. He plays Namor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), starting with the film (2022), in which he is credited as Tenoch Huerta Mejía.[2] [3]

Early life

Huerta was born in Ecatepec de Morelos, State of Mexico,[4] on 29 January 1981. His father, a film buff, enrolled him in an acting course with María Elena Saldaña, and Huerta's later studies were alongside Carlos Torres Torrija and Luis Felipe Tovar.[1]

Huerta is of Indigenous descent, with a Nahua maternal great-grandmother and a Purépecha paternal great-great-grandmother.[5] He does not self-identify as Indigenous;[6] however, he encourages people to learn more about their Indigenous heritage within and outside the community.[7]

Career

Huerta made his acting career debut as a minor character in the film Asi del precipicio (2006). In 2009, he appeared in Cary Joji Fukunaga's film Sin nombre in the role of Li'l Mago, leader of the Tapachula faction of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha gang.

In 2015, he appeared as Carlos Mamani in the biographical disaster survival film The 33, Alejo in Camino. In 2018, he began portraying Rafael Caro Quintero in Netflix's .

In 2021, he appeared as Juan in The Forever Purge, the fifth film of The Purge franchise, alongside his fellow costar Alejandro Edda.[8]

In 2022, during a San Diego Comic-Con presentation for the Marvel Studios film , Huerta was revealed to have joined the cast to portray Namor.[9] In Mexico, most reactions were positive, with a minority of negative reactions characterized as expressions of racism and malinchismo.[10] Huerta himself spoke against racism in the film industry and stated that he was excited to play the character.[11] [12]

Activism

Tenoch Huerta, recognized for his distinguished acting career, also holds an acclaimed role as an anti-racism activist, spurred by his personal encounters with racial prejudice and systemic discrimination.

Huerta formerly collaborated with Poder Prieto, a Mexican collective striving to alter societal perceptions of Brown individuals. His contributions were largely focused on advocating for the accurate and favorable representation of Brown people in various mediums. Furthermore, the collective aimed to redefine the term "Prieto," traditionally a racial slur, by infusing it with a positive context.

Huerta has persistently emphasized the significance of diverse and accurate representation of people of color in film and television, asserting that varied storytelling contributes to authentic cultural narratives.

In 2022, Huerta expanded his activism reach by authoring the book Orgullo Prieto (Black Pride).[13] The book delves into the racist constructs in Mexico and integrates personal narratives to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

The same year, Huerta addressed UNESCO's Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination, amplifying his insights on activism and media representation on a global platform.[14] His engagement with UNESCO extended to 2023, where he connected with over 2000 students, underscoring the imperative of recognizing privilege, challenging prevailing systems, and the potential of collective action to effect change.[15]

Huerta was also a participant in a dialogue convened by the United Nations' Antiracism Working Group,[16] a discussion held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His involvement epitomizes his commitment to confronting racism, an issue now addressed with increased urgency by institutions like the United Nations, largely due to the global resonance of movements like Black Lives Matter.[17]

Controversy on social networks

In June 2023, Huerta was accused of abuse by musician and activist Maria Elena Ríos. Ríos accused him of being a sexual predator and that the Mexico-based activist organization Poder Prieto was deliberately protecting him.[18] [19] Huerta has denied the allegations and cited them as the reason for leaving an upcoming Netflix project.[20] [21] In 2024, almost a year after the accusations, no judicial complaints have been made.

Awards

Huerta won Best Actor at the Short Short Film Festival in Mexico City for his performance in Alonso Ruizpalacios' Café paraíso.[22] He has also received five nominations for the Ariel Award, winning Best Actor for his role in Días de Gracia in 2012. Huerta won NAACP Image Awards 2023 supporting role in a motion picture, for his role Namor in .[23]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRolesNotes
2006 Así del precipicioWindow cleaner
2007Malamados, en la soledad todo esta permitidoAarón
DéficitAdán
La zonaMario
2008Sleep DealerDavid Cruz
Café paraísoGalloShort film
Road to FameDomingo
NesioEl Araña
Soy mi madreRamón
Just WalkingDavid
2009Sin nombreLil' Mago
El hornoBoyfriendShort film
2010Marea altaGerónimo
DepositariosAndrés
ChicograndeDoctor Terán
¿Cómo has estado?ObsmarShort film
El InfiernoThe Devil
Busco empleoRamnShort film
2011Cristeros y FederalesSoldierShort film
Días de graciaTeacher / Lupe
2012Vacaciones en el infiernoCarlos
CristiadaUncredited
Get the GringoCarlos
Jesús "Chuy"
De tierraJulioShort film
La vida precoz y breve de Sabina RivasJuan
PenumbraÁngelShort film
2013La banquetaAbelShort film
Stand Clear of the Closing DoorsRicardo Sr.
2014GüerosSombra
MercyÉlShort film
Roldano Brother
El más buscadoCharro Misterioso / Alfredo Ríos Galeana
2015The 33Carlos Mamani
Semana SantaChávez
CaminoAlejo
SpectreMexican Man in Lift
Las AparicioJuan
2016La cargaFrancisco Tenamaztle
Vive por míGavilán
2017El silencio es bienvenidoSoldier 1
El autorEnrique
Tigers Are Not AfraidEl Chino
DebrisArmandoShort film
2018Bel CantoComandante Benjamín
2020Son of MonarchsMendel
Dark ForcesFranco
2021 The Forever PurgeJuan
MadresBeto
2022NamorCredited as Tenoch Huerta Mejía
2024Pedro PáramoJuan Preciado

Television

Year Title Roles Notes
2008CapadociaToño2 episodes
2010Los MinondoNacho
2011El Encanto del ÁguilaEmiliano Zapata5 episodes
2012CloroformoEl Búfalo13 episodes
2016Hasta Que Te ConocíNereo3 episodes
2015–2016Mozart in the JungleManuel2 episodes
2016–2017Blue Demon Alejandro Muñoz / Blue Demon65 episodes
2018Here on EarthAdán Cruz8 episodes
2018–2020Rafael Caro Quintero11 episodes
2023The Chosen OneLemuelMiniserie (Netflix)
2025Las MuertasMiniserie (Netflix)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Los Sueños de Tenoch Huerta . PlanetaEllas.com . Mónica Maristain . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221082053/http://www.planetaellas.com/2012/04/13/los-suenos-de-tenoch-huerta/ . April 13, 2012 . February 21, 2014 . April 27, 2019 . es.
  2. Web site: 'Black Panther 2' First Trailer Unveils Marvel's Emotional Return to Wakanda and War With Namor. 24 July 2022. Vaitey. 24 July 2022. 24 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220724012530/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/black-panther-wakanda-forever-trailer-comic-con-1235296798/. live.
  3. Web site: Namor the Sub-Mariner dives into the new Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer. 24 July 2022. AV Club. 24 July 2022. 24 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220724023101/https://www.avclub.com/namor-the-sub-mariner-dives-into-the-new-black-panther-1849324149. live.
  4. News: Banda . Martín . De Ecatepec para el mundo: Tenoch Huerta, nuevo super héroe de Marvel . 11 November 2022 . El Mañana . 10 November 2022 . es-MX . 11 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221111040527/https://elmanana.com.mx/escena/2022/11/10/de-ecatepec-para-el-mundo-tenoch-huerta-nuevo-super-heroe-de-marvel-86692.html . live .
  5. Tenoch Huerta Mejía . TenochHuerta . 1270102049607364614 . Mi origen es Purépecha (tatarabuela paterna) y Nahua (bisabuela materna). . spanish. 8 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719171050/https://twitter.com/TenochHuerta/status/1270102049607364614. 19 July 2022. live.
  6. Tenoch Huerta Mejía . TenochHuerta . 1270828923316731904 . No soy indígena.
    No todos los morenos "somos idénticos".. spanish . 10 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028180146/https://twitter.com/TenochHuerta/status/1270828923316731904. 28 October 2021. live.
  7. Web site: Pulliam-Moore . Charles . 2022-10-31 . Tenoch Huerta hopes Wakanda Forever helps Latin Americans embrace their roots . 2022-11-03 . The Verge . en-US . 12 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221112025214/https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/31/23433010/tenoch-huerta-namor-black-panther-wakanda-forever-talocan . live .
  8. Web site: How Tenoch Huerta Transformed into Namor—and Transformed the Character in the Process. menshealth.com. 17 Oct 2022. 21 October 2022. 21 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221021015600/https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a41574181/tenoch-huerta-namor-black-panther-wakanda-forever/. live.
  9. Web site: Black Panther 2's Namor Actor Describes the 'Overwhelming' Experience Suiting up for the First Time . 26 July 2022 . 14 August 2022 . 14 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220814174351/https://www.cinemablend.com/superheroes/marvel-cinematic-universe/black-panther-2s-namor-actor-describes-the-overwhelming-experience-suiting-up-for-the-first-time . live .
  10. Web site: Tenoch Huerta como Namor despierta el malinchismo de los mexicanos . 2022-12-04 . es-us.vida-estilo.yahoo.com . 28 July 2022 . es-US . 4 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204183422/https://es-us.vida-estilo.yahoo.com/tenoch-huerta-namor-despierta-malinchismo-004800398.html . live .
  11. Web site: Osborn . Catherine . A Disjointed Western Hemisphere Gathers . 2022-12-04 . Foreign Policy . 10 June 2022 . en-US . 4 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204183421/https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/10/summit-americas-biden-los-angeles-boycotts-health-migration/ . live .
  12. Hiatt . Brian . 2022-11-22 . Namor vs. Aquaman, A Viral Speedo Tweet, and Other Burning Topics with Tenoch Huerta . 2022-12-04 . Rolling Stone . en-US . 4 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204183421/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/namor-aquaman-bulge-racism-tenoch-huerta-1234634309/ . live .
  13. Web site: RODRIGUEZ-JIMENEZ . JORGE . Tenoch Huerta Releasing New Book Titled 'Orgullo Prieto' — & It Already Feels Like a Must-Read . remezcla . 13 September 2022 . 9 July 2023 . 9 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230709230125/https://remezcla.com/culture/tenoch-huerta-releasing-new-book-titled-orgullo-prieto-colorism/ . live .
  14. Web site: LucíaIglesias . Kuntz . Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination: UNESCO paves way for Post-COVID Recovery . UNESCO . 9 July 2023 . 25 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325071322/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-forum-against-racism-and-discrimination-unesco-paves-way-post-covid-recovery . live .
  15. Web site: Story Students meet with activists at UNESCO to lead the fight against racism . unesco . 9 July 2023 . 19 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419180108/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/students-meet-activists-unesco-lead-fight-against-racism . live .
  16. Web site: Shotwell . Alyssa . 'Black Panther's Tenoch Huerta Gets the Final Word on 'Forced Inclusion' Accusations at the United Nations . themarysue.com . 28 March 2023 . 9 July 2023 . 9 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230709230125/https://www.themarysue.com/black-panthers-tenoch-huerta-talks-antiracism-the-united-nations/ . live .
  17. Web site: We have to figure out how to dismantle the monster . United Nations Human Rights Organization . 9 July 2023 . 22 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322152522/https://www.ohchr.org/en/get-involved/stories/we-have-figure-out-how-dismantle-monster . live .
  18. Web site: 'Black Panther' star Tenoch Huerta accused of sexual assault. Carras. Christi. Los Angeles Times. 11 June 2023. 12 June 2023. 12 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230612024817/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-06-11/tenoch-huerta-accused-sexual-assault-black-panther-wakanda-forever. live.
  19. Web site: 'MCU's Namor Star Tenoch Huerta Accused of Sexual Assault by Mexican Musician. Lund. Anthony. Movieweb. 12 June 2023. 11 June 2023. 11 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230611194141/https://movieweb.com/mcus-namor-star-tenoch-huerta-accused-of-sexual-assault-by-mexican-musician/. live.
  20. Web site: 'Black Panther' actor Tenoch Huerta denies sexual assault allegation: 'Simply untrue'. Segarra. Edward. USA Today. 12 June 2023. 12 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230614172252/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/06/12/black-panther-actor-tenoch-huerta-denies-sexual-assault-claim/70314585007/. 14 June 2023. live.
  21. Web site: Black Panther Breakout Tenoch Huerta Accused of Sexual Misconduct . . Guy . Zoe . 21 June 2023 . 9 November 2023 . 9 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231109144859/https://www.vulture.com/2023/06/tenoch-huerta-abuse-allegations.html . live.
  22. Web site: Café paraíso Paradise Café. Secretaría de Cultura/Sistema de Información Cultural. 27 April 2019. 9 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210609222106/https://sic.cultura.gob.mx/ficha.php?table=produccion_cine&table_id=235. live.
  23. Web site: Blauvelt . Christian . 2023-02-26 . 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' Will Smith, Angela Bassett Win Big at 2023 NAACP Image Awards . 2023-02-26 . IndieWire . en . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226100031/https://www.indiewire.com/2023/02/2023-naacp-image-awards-winners-list-1234813411/ . live .