The actress-singer, better known by her stage name, FKA Twigs said, "What I went through with Shia was the worst thing I've ever been through in the whole of my life."
If you think you haven't seen Shia LeBeouf's name in the headlines for a while, fear not, he's here again with yet another controversy. The actor has been sued by his Honey Boy co-star Tahliah Debrett Barnett a.k.a FKA Twigs alleging that LaBeouf was emotionally and physically abusive towards her during their relationship that lasted about a year.
According to Deadline, The 32-year-old actor and singer sued LaBeouf for sexual battery and assault. The complaint filed by the actress-musician in Los Angeles Superior Court states, “This action has been brought not for personal gain, but to set the record straight, and to help ensure that no more women must undergo the abuse that Shia LaBeouf has inflicted on his prior romantic partners.”
The lawsuit called the whole ordeal a “living nightmare.” Citing the "relentless abuse" by the Emmy-winning actor, the statement continued that initially, LeBeouf groomed her to gain her "trust and confidence." What followed was a living nightmare for Tahliah. Over a course of months, LaBeouf allegedly engaged in a continuous stream of verbal and mental abuse toward Tahliah, belittling her and berating her after the slightest perceived “insult” by LaBeouf."
The statement also stated that staying with LaBeouf was "frightening" as he isolated Barnett from her loved ones making "her daily existence and routine revolved around LaBeouf and only LaBeouf. His verbal abuse escalated into physical abuse, during which LaBeouf became increasingly violent toward Tahliah." She also claimed that LaBeouf allegedly gave her an STD.
The five-claim suit continued, “Shia LaBeouf hurts women. He uses them. He abuses them, both physically and mentally. He is dangerous.” The former couple met on the sets of Honey Boy, an autobiographical film about LaBeouf’s upbringing as a child actor.
Talking to The New York Times, Barnett said, "What I went through with Shia was the worst thing I've ever been through in the whole of my life. I don't think people would ever think that it would happen to me. But I think that's the thing. It can happen to anybody."
The Cellphone artist also revealed that LeBeouf squeezed her arm to "the point of bruising," but she didn't go to the police at first because she thought "her account would not be taken seriously." In the filed documents, Barnett also stated that small disagreements turned to nightlong fights, with claims that the Transformers actor slept with a gun on his bedside which made Barnett too scared to even use the restroom at night, fearing the actor would shoot her mistaking her for an intruder, as per People.
She disclosed that in 2019, she had to see a therapist to overcome the trauma she endured in the relationship. It was stated that leBeouf turned aggressive when Barnett tried to leave him and grabbed her "violently," later locking her up in a room.
To support Barnett, another artist came forward who has suffered the wrath of LeBeouf, reported People. Cheap Thrills singer Sia divulged on Twitter, “I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single." The 44-year-old worked alongside LeBeouf for the 2015 music video of her song Elastic Heart.
She continued, “I believe he's very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims. Just know, if you love yourself- stay safe, stay away. Also, I love you @FKAtwigs. This is very courageous and I’m very proud of you.”
Also I love you @FKAtwigs
— sia (@Sia) December 13, 2020
This is very courageous and I'm very proud of you.
FKA Twigs Sues Ex-Boyfriend Shia LaBeouf for Sexual Battery - Variety https://t.co/qnVhrwTbjh
According to AP News, an email was sent to the 34-year-old actor's representative but no comment was received from LeBeouf. However, in an email to The New York Times, the actor said, “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.”
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/arts/music/fka-twigs-shia-labeouf-abuse.html
https://people.com/music/fka-twigs-sues-shia-labeouf-abuse/
https://people.com/music/fka-twigs-supports-sia-after-she-claims-shia-labeouf-claims/
