Is Shia LaBeouf a serial abuser? See the allegations by singer Sia
Last Friday, The New York Times reported Tahliah Debrett Barnett, aka FKA Twigs, filed a lawsuit against her former boyfriend, Shia LaBeouf. While it may seem shocking to those who remember the actor from his days as Louis Stevens on Disney Channel’s Even Stevens or as Stanley Yelnats in Disney’s Holes, this is hardly the first time the actor has been accused of violent acts.
“Titanium” singer Sia came forward in wake of the lawsuit to share her experience as Shia LaBeouf’s ex-girlfriend. Late Saturday night, she tweeted her support of FKA Twigs, stating: “I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single.”
Linking the NYT article, here’s what Sia had to say about her past relationship with Shia LaBeouf.
I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single. I believe he's very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims. Just know, if you love yourself- stay safe, stay away. https://t.co/2NNEj9w8b1
— sia (@Sia) December 13, 2020
“Very sick”
Sia, whose full name is Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, used Twitter to share her experience and cautioned FKA Twigs against possibly continuing her relationship with Shia LaBeouf. The singer tweeted: “I believe he’s very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims,” Sia continued. “Just know, if you love yourself- stay safe, stay away.”
Sia met Shia LaBeouf in 2015 while he starred in the singer’s music video for “Elastic Heart”. At the time, LaBeouf was in a relationship with model Mia Goth. German tabloid Bild reported he had injured Goth during a fight. Per USA Today, Sia didn’t comment further on her relationship with LaBeouf.
FKA Twigs responded to Sia’s tweet on Sunday, expressing sympathy & support for Sia: “I’m sorry @Sia this reinforces why i had to publicly share my experience. we need to support each other <3.”
i'm sorry @Sia this reinforces why i had to publicly share my experience. we need to support each other <3 https://t.co/0s5BJ9c7t3
— FKA twigs (@FKAtwigs) December 13, 2020
FKA Twigs’s lawsuit
On Friday, The New York Times broke the story of FKA Twigs’s lawsuit against Shia LaBeouf. Twigs accused LaBeouf of sexual battery, physical assault, and emotional distress during their year-long relationship. Twigs also mentioned allegations from stylist Karolyn Pho, who claimed LaBeouf “drunkenly pinned her to a bed and head-butted her, enough that she bled”.
In the opening of FKA Twigs’s lawsuit, she stated: “Shia LaBeouf hurts women. He uses them. He abuses them, both physically and mentally. He is dangerous.” Per USA Today, Twigs later shared on social media that she “chose to share her experience in hopes it may help others who are in domestic violence situations.”
Not the first allegation against Shia LaBeouf
FKA Twigs & singer Sia’s allegations against Shia LaBeouf aren’t the first times he’s been accused of acting out violently. The former Disney Channel star has had several accusations against him for domestic violence, including the aforementioned assaults against Mia Goth & Karolyn Pho.
He’s also been violent outside of relationships too, with a long track record of arrests & meltdowns. He’s had more than one drunk driving arrest, his first being in 2008 after he rolled his car over in Los Angeles.
The same year, he was arrested after an altercation in Walgreens. According to Page Six, he was celebrating his twenty-first birthday when he went to the pharmacy for “pimple cream” & cigarettes. Sharing his side of the story on David Letterman, LaBeouf said: “My logic was off, to say the least. Again I’m on ‘the sauce.’”
His most infamous meltdown was in 2014. Shia LaBeouf was dragged out of a performance of Cabaret starring Alan Cumming & Michelle Williams after smoking in the theater, shouting obscenities, and harassing the performers. Police pulled him out during intermission – according to the police report, Shia LaBeouf shouted: “This is f%@king bullsh*t! Do you know my life? Do you know who I am?”
In 2017, LaBeouf was arrested at a political rally called “He Will Not Divide Us” held on President Donald Trump’s inauguration day. LaBeouf allegedly grabbed a protestor and pushed him to the ground, “causing a scratch to the man’s face” according to the police report.
Shia LaBeouf’s response
Responding to The New York Times article, Shia LaBeouf said: “I’m not in any position to tell anyone how my behavior made them feel. I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years. I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say.”
This isn’t the first time he’s apologized for bad behavior. After an arrest in Georgia for disorderly conduct, LaBeouf credited the arresting officer for saving his life: “I am actively taking steps toward securing my sobriety and hope I can be forgiven for my mistakes.”
