‘May December’ Inspiration Vili Fualaau Is “Offended” By Netflix’s Film: “They Chose To Do A Ripoff Of My Original Story”

Just over a month after May December‘s Netflix release, Vili Fualaau, the real-life individual that Charles Melton‘s Joe Yoo was broadly inspired by, is speaking out.

Now 40 years old, Fualaau was thrust into the public eye at just 12 years old after being sexually abused by his then teacher, Mary Kay Letourneau (34). In 1997, Letourneau pled guilty to two counts of rape, and gave birth to their child in prison. The two were married in 2005, following her release from prison the year prior, but Fualaau eventually filed for separation in 2017, per People.

While the new film starring Melton, Julianne Moore, and Natalie Portman is not entirely based on the ’90s scandal, it certainly bares a stark resemblance to the case, including, but not limited to, the predatory relationship between Melton’s Joe and Moore’s Gracie, and even a quote taken straight from a real-life 2018 interview with Fualaau and Letourneau.

Fualaau spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about his thoughts on the film, claiming that while he’s “still alive and well,” he was never approached by the streamer or anyone involved in the production.

“If they had reached out to me, we could have worked together on a masterpiece,” he said. “Instead, they chose to do a ripoff of my original story.”

Decider reached out to Netflix for comment, but did not hear back in time of publication.

Fualaau told THR that he is “offended by the entire project and the lack of respect given to [him],” particularly because he “lived through a real story and is still living it.”

“I love movies — good movies,” he said. “And I admire ones that capture the essence and complications of real-life events. You know, movies that allow you to see or realize something new every time you watch them. Those kinds of writers and directors — someone who can do that — would be perfect to work with, because my story is not nearly as simple as this movie [portrays].”

May December is now streaming on Netflix.

If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.