Michael Oher
Did the NFL star blackmail his family for $15 million?
Actor Quinton Aaron as former NFL star Michael Oher
© imago/EntertainmentPictures
The dispute over the biopic “Blind Side” is entering the next round. NFL star Michael Oher’s family is outraged by his lawsuit.
Hollywood star Sandra Bullock (59) was awarded an Oscar in 2010 for her role in the film drama “Blind Side – The Great Chance”. Almost 15 years later, the public perception of the biopic about the former football star Michael Oher (37) takes a no less dramatic turn, which increasingly expands into a family mud fight.
Michael Oher sued alleged “adoptive parents”
The drama began last Monday when Oher sued his former foster parents, Leigh Anne, 63, and Sean Tuohy, 63, accusing them of deceiving and financially exploiting him. In a 14-page petition, the ex-NFL star from them, among other things, damages and a detailed listing of the profits made by the filming of his life story.
From street kid to football star
“Blind Side” tells Oher’s journey from the homeless youth from dysfunctional backgrounds, who was taken into the home of the wealthy entrepreneur couple in 2004 and encouraged in his career as a professional football player. In his lawsuit, the ex-athlete alleged that his foster parents made him sign a custody agreement in 2004, believing he was adopted by them. He only recently found out that this is not the case. The guardianship obtained under deception gave the Tuohys the opportunity to negotiate the filming rights of his life story without his consent. They would not have shared the income generated by the film with him.
Oher’s host family ‘devastated’
In a first reaction, Oher’s host family initially expressed their dismay at the allegations. “We are devastated,” said Sean Tuohy in the Daily Memphian after the complaint has been made public. “It’s disturbing to think that we wanted to make money with one of our children. We love Michael at 37 as much as we loved him at 16.”
Alleged extortion attempt for $15 million
As reported by Variety magazine, the Tuohys hired lawyers to counter the allegations. In a statement from the lawyer’s office, the two for their part bring out strong artillery and accuse their foster son of having threatened and blackmailed them. It says: “The Tuohys opened their home to Mr. Oher, offering him structure, support and above all unconditional love. They always treated him like a son and one of their three children. His reaction was to threaten them and to say, that he would let the press spread a negative story about them if they didn’t pay him $15 million.”
Oher’s “ridiculous lawsuit” is merely a “cynical attempt” to attract attention in the middle of his latest book tour.” His claims are nothing more than an “attempted annihilation.” Over the years, the Tuohys have said “Mr. Oher den given an equal share of every penny he received from ‘The Blind Side'”.