Last year, in December, English singer and actress Tahliah Debrett Barnett, popularly known as FKA Twigs, sued her ex Shia LaBeouf. The two had first met on the sets of Honey Boy(2019). Both of them dated for about a year until May 2019. She sued him a few months ago on the grounds of assault and emotional abuse.
The Lawsuit
In her lawsuit, Twigs says that in the beginning, LaBeouf gained her trust. But later, the relationship took a wrong turn as he abused and assaulted her repeatedly. It began with verbal belittling and berating and then things became more physical. She has accused LaBeouf of battery, sexual battery, assault, emotional distress, and gross negligence.
Twigs dictates a few events that happened during the time of their relationship. In the first, she recalls how The Tax Collector actor went into a road rash when they were travelling to LA from the desert. She added that he removed his seat belt and threatened to crash until she said she loved him.
She begged to let herself out. Later, he pulled over at a gas station where she got out. But he threw her against the car, screaming in her face. He then forced her back inside. Twigs also said that LaBeouf had once choked her after waking her up in the middle of the night. She has also accused him of giving her an STD on purpose.
Reaching out
The lawsuit also mentions other women who have claimed to be victims of abuse by LaBeouf, one being Karolyn Pho, stylist and another ex of his. Bryan Freedman, Twigs’ lawyer, said in a statement that LaBeouf had abused multiple women. They initially wanted to settle the matter privately, provided that LaBeouf agreed to undergo meaningful and regular treatment.
Since he was unwilling to cooperate, Barnett aka Twigs decided to sue to prevent others to unknowingly suffer in a similar manner. Twigs also reached out on Instagram later, explaining that it was hard for her to process because she never expected this to happen with her.
Twigs said that it was fearful to come out as a domestic violence survivor. But she felt worse about staying silent, knowing she could help even one person by sharing her experience. This led her to come forward so that she can make others understand that it can feel unsafe or impossible escaping from an abusive relationship.
What Did LaBeouf Say?
The Pieces of a Woman actor replied in response to the charges. In the email to The Times, he said that he was not in a position to tell how his behaviour affected others. For his alcoholism and aggressive behaviour, he had no excuses. He admitted that he was abusive to himself and all those around him, adding that he was ashamed of his actions and regretted them.
LaBeouf has a history of being arrested for misdemeanour and aggressive behaviour. Last year, in October, he was charged with battery and theft. The accuser complained that he stole his hat. The two engaged in a violent argument in June before that.
Prior to this, in 2017, he was arrested for drunkenness, misconduct and obstruction in Savannah. Also in 2014, he was arrested for trespassing and misconduct for causing a drunken disruption at a New York City theater.
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