Gloria Trevi Sues Her Former Manager and Producer Sergio Andrade for Sexual Abuse

Thania Garcia
·4 min read
1
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

In retaliation of the January filing that claimed Latin pop singer Gloria Trevi “groomed” and exploited underage girls in the early 1990s for the benefit of her ex-producer and manager Sergio Andrade, Trevi on Thursday filed a cross-complaint against Andrade.

Trevi has long upheld her assertion that she was also a victim of Andrade’s and has accused the disgraced Mexican producer of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other charges.

More from Variety

In a statement shared with Variety, Trevi, who is being represented by Johnny Depp’s former attorney Camille M. Vasquez, explained she had chosen to remain silent about the “horrific abuse” she endured for so many years to avoid reliving the “awful experiences, and, most importantly, to protect her children and family.”

Trevi expressed, “I have chosen to take this legal action to fight for justice and to send a message that such appalling acts should not be tolerated. No one should have to go through what I experienced, and I am determined to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”

The filing describes Trevi as the “Mexican Madonna” of the late 1980s and 1990s who “unbeknownst to the public” was being “controlled, mentally and physically tortured, and effectively enslaved by Andrade.” It goes on to say she was Andrade’s “most valuable asset” and was “the one woman he was most determined to control and subjugate.”

“Andrade, whose brother was a senator, was also well connected with the Mexican business and political elite and occupied a position of significant cultural power and influence,” according to the filing. “That position allowed him to draw many young girls into his sphere of influence, who gathered around him in the hopes that he would guide, mentor, and launch their careers in entertainment, as he had previously done for others. But once these young girls and women had been drawn into his sphere by dreams of stardom, he subjected them to total control and sadistic abuse – mental, financial, physical, and sexual. Ms. Trevi was one of those young women.”

Trevi alleges she was consistently watched by multiple young women that had been similarly subdued by Andrade to ensure that she stayed in line, never spoke freely to men other than Andrade, and never rebelled against his abuse. She additionally claims she had no control over the money generated from her performances and record sales, which was diverted to Andrade through his company.

In addition to being financially controlled, Trevi claims Andrade “brutally” beat her, “sometimes to the point of unconsciousness, as ‘punishment’ for made-up transgressions.” She also claims she was viciously sexually assaulted and raped by him multiple times, driving her to attempt suicide. Trevi asserts many of these crimes were committed against her in Los Angeles, where she filed the cross-complaint today.

Added Vasquez, “Our client, Gloria Trevi, has shown immense strength and courage in coming forward and filing this cross-complaint. We are fully prepared to present our case and seek justice on her behalf.”

Trevi and Andrade were first accused of corrupting and abusing minors in the ’90s and in January of 2000, the pair, along with backup singer María Raquenel Portillo (who also goes by Mary Boquitas), were arrested for their connection to an alleged cult-like sex ring.

Just last week, Rolling Stone reported that a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed a cross-complaint in the case filed by Portillo.

Trevi served four years in a Chihuahua prison but was eventually acquitted of those charges in 2004 and continued with her career, releasing chart-topping albums and putting on arena shows. In 2018, she gave an emotive speech at the Latin American Music Awards where she explained that she was just 15 when Andrade, whom she didn’t identify by name, pulled her into a world of abuse and manipulation.

Andrade, whom the file suggests is currently residing in Mexico, was convicted for his crimes but has not yet appeared in court or responded to the allegations pointed against him in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.