Mary Kay Letourneau's ex-husband Vili Fualaau slams Netflix's 'May December' as 'rip-off' of his story, Internet agrees

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON DC: Todd Haynes' film 'May December,' featuring Natalie Portman, Charles Melton, and Julianne Moore, faced criticism from Mary Kay Letourneau’s ex-husband Vili Fualaau. Fualaau expressed offense, claiming that the movie bore similarities to his case.

In the film, Portman takes on the role of Elizabeth Berry, an actress deeply immersed in researching a married couple with a scandalous history. As reported by Hollywood Reporter, 'May December' screenwriter Samy Burch acknowledged drawing inspiration from Fualaau's case, but claims it's a work of fiction.

However, according to Hollywood Reporter, there has been no communication between anyone associated with the Netflix-produced 'May December' and Fualaau.

As per Hollywood Reporter, he serves as the inspiration for Melton's portrayal of Joe Yoo in the movie.

Vili Fualaau slams Netflix's 'May December' for depicting his life story in movie without permission

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fualaau expressed deep dismay after watching 'May December,' considering it yet another instance of Hollywood and the media exploiting his story and pain.

He told the Hollywood Reporter that he couldn't comprehend why neither the movie's director, nor its screenwriter, nor the actor consulted him throughout the production.

Fualaau said, “I’m still alive and well. If they had reached out to me, we could have worked together on a masterpiece. Instead, they chose to do a ripoff of my original story. I’m offended by the entire project and the lack of respect given to me — who lived through a real story and is still living it."

As per the Hollywood Reporter, Fualaau currently resides in Seattle, the very place where the scandal involving his life unfolded. Fualaau, who was just 12 when 34-year-old Letourneau first victimized him in 1996.

Forbes reports that in June of that year, Letourneau was caught with Fualaau by the police in a parked car. Police questioned them after Letourneau jumped into the front seat. Fualaau denied inappropriate contact, and Letourneau falsely claimed to the police that Fualaau was 18.

In 1997, after her first husband alerted the police to letters exchanged between Letourneau and Fualaau, she was arrested, pleaded guilty to two counts of child r**e, and received a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence.

According to Forbes, Letourneau gave birth to two children with Fualaau, one in May 1997 and the second in October 1998 while in prison. After her release, Fualaau and Letourneau married in May 2005, reportedly splitting in 2019. Letourneau succumbed to cancer in 2020, with Fualaau by her bedside.

Internet users support Vili Fualaau as he calls out Netflix for 'May December'

A user wrote, "This is just absurd, idk how these hollywood folks would even do these adaptation WITHOUT their permission like????"

Another user criticized the film and wrote, "I agree, what a lazy film."

A user wrote, "See this is the big problem with a lot of Hollywood adaptions on REAL cases, they never obtain permission from the victims or families and then they get a lackluster adaptation that twists the truth. That’s exactly what happened with Dahmer…"

Another user wrote, "Hollywood exploiting peoples real life is crazy."

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.