FKA twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf, Alleging Abuse and Assault

The musician accuses her former boyfriend of “relentless abuse” and knowingly giving her a sexually transmitted disease, according to a report from The New York Times

By Noah Yoo

December 11, 2020

Note: This article contains descriptions of alleged assault.

FKA twigs has filed a lawsuit against actor Shia LaBeouf, alleging that her former boyfriend subjected her to “relentless abuse,” sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress, The New York Times and TMZ report. According to The Times, the lawsuit details numerous instances where twigs says she was abused, including a 2019 incident in which the actor allegedly assaulted her outside of a gas station in California during a road trip. In addition, twigs reportedly claims that LaBeouf knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease.

“What I went through with Shia was the worst thing I’ve ever been through in the whole of my life,” FKA twigs told The Times. “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.”

In an email to The Times, LaBeouf wrote: “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.”

The actor did not respond to The Times’ requests for comment on the lawsuit.

The New York Times’ report also includes comments from Karolyn Pho, a stylist who previously dated LaBeouf and also says she had “tumultuous experiences” with him.

In a separate email to The Times, responding to FKA twigs and Karolyn Pho’s claims, LaBeouf wrote that “many of these allegations are not true,” but that he owed the women “the opportunity to air their statements publicly and accept accountability for those things [he has] done.” He also wrote: “I am not cured of my PTSD and alcoholism, but I am committed to doing what I need to do to recover, and I will forever be sorry to the people that I may have harmed along the way.”

Read Katie Benner and Melena Ryzik’s report, titled “FKA twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf, Citing ‘Relentless’ Abusive Relationship,” at The New York Times.

Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for FKA twigs and Shia LaBeouf for comment and more information.