‘Blind Side’ star who played Michael Oher shocked by ‘unfortunate’ lawsuit, defends Sandra Bullock

Actor Quinton Aaron — who portrayed NFL star Michael Oher within the Hollywood blockbuster film “The Blind Facet” — mentioned the rift between the ex-footballer and the Tuohy family is a “unhappy, unlucky flip of occasions”.

Aaron was upset to listen to about Oher’s bombshell lawsuit claiming the household who took him in, the Tuohys, had raked in tens of millions of {dollars} in film royalties through the years, whereas he made nothing — regardless of it being his life story.

“I used to be shocked and fully caught off guard,” Aaron solely informed The Put up Tuesday.

“Having met Michael and the Tuohys, I really feel like this can be a unhappy, unlucky flip of occasions.

“I can say simply from my private expertise from assembly with each events, I’ve the utmost respect for all of them through the years.”

Aaron mentioned he couldn’t go into particulars about his expertise on set whereas filming “The Blind Facet” because of the guidelines of the continuing SAG-AFTRA strike he’s taking part in, however claimed he was stunned to listen to Oher’s claims Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy duped the ex-NFL star right into a conservatorship.

Oher, 37, filed a lawsuit in Shelby County, Tenn. court docket Monday and claimed he solely lately discovered he wasn’t formally adopted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.

In response to allegations made within the court documents filed on Monday, the Tuohys and their two organic kids obtained $225,000 every in royalties, plus 2.5% of the film’s internet proceeds. Oher says he didn’t even see a penny from the film’s success.

The Tuohys have disputed Oher’s claims, saying through a lawyer they’d solely ever made “just a few thousand {dollars} in revenue participation funds” and so they had give him “an equal reduce of each penny obtained,” according to TMZ.

In the identical assertion a lawyer for the household claimed Oher had orchestrated a “shakedown” to get $15m from the household which had been unsuccessful.

The 2009 Warner Bros film, starring Bullock and Tim McGraw, has grossed greater than $300 million.

Aaron, 39, mentioned Oher wasn’t current throughout the filming and he solely met him as soon as in 2013 once they each signed autographs for followers in Chicago.

“We sat round after we completed and he was telling me that individuals have been calling him my title, and I informed him in all places I went, folks have been calling me Large Mike,” Aaron mentioned, referring to Oher’s childhood nickname, made well-known within the film.

Aaron mentioned he was conscious of Oher’s criticism of the movie and the way the previous athlete felt he was misrepresented.

“Over time there have been articles the place he mentioned he didn’t like sure issues in regards to the film, however I didn’t find out about this,” Aaron mentioned of Oher’s new allegations.

The actor mentioned he did initially take it personally when Oher criticized the movie.

“Initially after I noticed these articles, I couldn’t relate to what he was saying as a result of I wasn’t taking a look at it from his perspective,” Aaron mentioned. “To me, it was a job and I used to be extremely appreciative of the chance. I feel a part of me felt he was p—ing on it.

“However after trying again at it by means of his eyes and placing myself in his footwear, I can see why he felt the way in which he did. His frustration had nothing to do with me as a result of I performed an element, I didn’t produce, write or direct it. We by no means received an opportunity to have that dialog, sadly.”

Aaron mentioned he met Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy on set.

“They have been very heat. I keep in mind the primary time I met Leigh Anne, she got here as much as me with open arms and gave me an enormous ‘ol hug,” the actor recalled.

Sean Tuohy informed the Daily Memphian the claims Oher made in opposition to he and his spouse have “devastated” the household.

Tuohy claimed the conservatorship was drawn up to make sure Oher was eligible to play soccer on the College of Mississippi.

Tuohy, who’s a booster on the faculty, mentioned there may have been potential Nationwide Collegiate Athletics Affiliation points had Oher attended the College of Mississippi, if he wasn’t a part of the household.

The Tuohys have been already millionaires earlier than “The Blind Facet” and operated a regional fast-food empire with greater than 100 areas that included Taco Bell and KFC retailers. He has mentioned he bought the eating places for over $200m.

Criticism in opposition to the Tuohy household has even reached Sandra Bullock, who gained the Oscar for her portrayal of Leigh Anne. On-line trolls have criticized Bullock’s radio silence over Oher’s claims he was taken benefit of by the household.

“Sandra Bullock ought to give her Oscar again,” sports broadcaster Brandon Walker posted on X. “She is aware of she didn’t deserve [it]!”

Aaron was fast to defend his former co-star, who’s grieving the recent death of her longtime partner Bryan Randall to ALS.

“We live in a day and age the place individuals are hell bent on pointing the blame on folks and are simply throwing issues on the market that’s mistaken,” Aaron informed The Put up. “It’s like saying, ‘Let’s throw this individual to the wolves.’

“Sandra did nothing mistaken. That’s my lady and she or he goes by means of a extremely powerful time proper now. I actually really feel like they need to depart her alone and cease making an attempt to come back at her.”

The actor added, “Cease making an attempt to come back for Sandra since you’re going to make me mad and they’re going to have to come back by means of me!”

Aaron, who can be pursuing a singing profession and lately dropped a single tiled “Lead With Love,” mentioned he hopes Oher and the Tuohys can come to a decision.

“As a Christian, I really feel like one of the best factor I can do is pray about it and hope a resolve involves fruition that may be a profit to each events,” he mentioned.