Mackenzie Dern has clarified through her management team that a social media post appearing to voice support for Andre Galvao and Angelica Galvao amid serious allegations was an accidental repost from 2020.
“These two always play a part in my camps, since my jiu-jitsu days until now in MMA, whether we are close or far away, they are always here for me! Thank you for everything family! Love you guys!”
Alexa Herse described a pattern of inappropriate conduct spanning six months, alleging that Andre Galvao touched her inappropriately during training sessions and repeatedly commented on her body and appearance. According to Alexa Herse‘s statement, specific incidents included Andre Galvao interrupting her training to partner with her himself,
“making s**ual moaning sounds in my ear while he was on top of me.”
In another alleged encounter,
“when his head was very close to my head he licked my ear.”
Perhaps equally concerning was Alexa Herse‘s account of seeking help from Angelica Galvao.
“I reached out to Angelica Galvão, someone I have always looked up to as a second mother and who has known me and mentored me since I was a kid. Not only did she do nothing about it, she told me not to say anything and told me that if it’s wrong, you have to at least act like it’s right. And don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Alexa Herse has filed a report with local law enforcement.
In a formal statement provided by Luiz Gaspar from Mackenzie Dern‘s management team, the clarification explained that the Instagram post was originally published in October 2020 and was training-related content taken out of context.
“Mackenzie has not published any statement of support or endorsement regarding the individuals appearing in the photo. The original post was simply related to training at that time,”
the statement read.
“Any recent reposting or association of that 2020 content was the result of an internal mistake made by the social media agency that manages her Facebook account.”
Mackenzie Dern herself addressed the situation in a comment responding to criticism, explaining that her social media team automatically reposts Facebook content including posts about her daughter and training on a daily basis.
She noted that the same post with the same caption was originally shared to both Instagram and Facebook in 2020, and that she hadn’t even seen the repost before people began criticizing her.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community has experienced unprecedented fallout from the allegations. Top competitors including Kaynan Duarte, Lucas Barbosa, Bruno Frazatto, JT Torres, Dom Bell, Lucas Pinheiro and Gustavo Batista have publicly separated from Team Atos.
Atos Jiu Jitsu HQ released a statement announcing that Andre Galvao and Angelica Galvao would be immediately and indefinitely separated from all organizational roles. The facility’s website has since been changed to name their daughter Sarah Galvao as the head coach, though the credibility of this announcement has been questioned by some in the community. Andre Galvao has denied the allegations, calling them false rumors.
