The Truth About Sia And Shia LaBeouf
In December 2020, The New York Times reported that Tahliah Debrett Barnett, known as FKA twigs, is suing Shia LaBeouf for their allegedly "relentless" abusive relationship. Among other allegations, the musician claimed that LaBeouf was speeding in a car, took off his seatbelt, and threatened to crash if she didn't share her love for him. In the suit, FKA twigs alleged that he pulled over at a gas station, assaulted her, and thew her against the car while screaming at her before making her get back in the vehicle.
FKA twigs claimed LaBeouf physically, mentally, and emotionally abused her many times throughout their relationship. She explained that she came forward with her story to "to raise awareness on the tactics that abusers use to control you and take away your agency." LaBeouf responded via email to The New York Times, saying, "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."
FKA twigs has also claimed that LaBeouf knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease, inflicted emotional distress, and engaged in sexual battery throughout the course of their romantic relationship. Singer Sia posted a link to the Times article on Twitter, in addition to sharing some of her own serious accusations aimed at the Even Stevens alum.
Sia called Shia LaBeouf 'a pathological liar'
When Sia tweeted a link to The New York Times article about FKA twigs suing Shia LaBeouf, she also threw in some allegations of her own. The "Chandelier" singer claimed, "I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single." It's unknown when Sia and LaBeouf dated, but he did appear in the music video for her song "Elastic Heart" along with Maddie Ziegler in 2015. According to E! News, the Transformers actor was dating an actress named Mia Goth. Sia was married to Erik Anders Lang, a documentary filmmaker. After two years of marriage, Sia filed for divorce in December 2016.
In her tweet, Sia declared, "I believe he's very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims. Just know, if you love yourself- stay safe, stay away." FKA twigs quoted Sia's tweet and added, "i'm sorry @Sia this reinforces why i had to publicly share my experience. we need to support each other." Sia shared Variety's article about FKA twigs suing the former Disney Channel star and wrote, "Also I love you @FKAtwigs. This is very courageous and I'm very proud of you." FKA Twigs responded, "love you back @Sia you're an inspiration and thank you everyone for your love and solidarity."
It must have been difficult for both singers to speak about their very personal experiences with LaBeouf, but at least they have each other's support.
Shia LaBeouf has struggled with alcoholism and PTSD
Unfortunately, Sia and FKA twigs aren't the only women who have shared negative accounts of their experiences while dating Shia LaBeouf. LaBeouf's ex-girlfriend Karolyn Pho, who is a stylist, claimed to The New York Times that he pinned her to a bed before he "head-butted her, enough that she bled." After that alleged incident, Pho started to realize that she was in an abusive relationship, telling the newspaper, "So much goes into breaking down a man or woman to make them OK with a certain kind of treatment." In addition to speaking with the outlet, some of Pho's accounts were included in the lawsuit that FKA twigs filed against LaBeouf.
LaBeouf responded to the claims women made in an email he sent to the Times, insisting that "many of these allegations are not true." Even so, he said that he owed his exes "the opportunity to air their statements publicly and accept accountability for those things I have done." LaBeouf remarked that he was "a sober member of a 12-step program" and partakes in therapy. He 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."
He hasn't commented on Sia's allegations, but if the lawsuit progresses, it's possible her tweets may be mentioned.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. You can also find more information, resources, and support at www.thehotline.org.