Shia LaBeouf was once an inescapable presence on television and in film, but his career has taken a backseat in recent years following serious allegations from his ex-girlfriend, musician FKA twigs.
The 38-year-old actor largely withdrew from the public eye after twigs filed a lawsuit in 2020 accusing him of physical and emotional abuse during their relationship.
LaBeouf addressed the controversy in a statement to the New York Times.
He admitted, “I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalisations. 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.”
The Transformers star also revealed he was stepping away from acting and entering an inpatient facility to work on his personal issues.
In 2021, twigs spoke out about her experience in an interview with Elle, reflecting on their time together.
She said, “I love what I do, and [filming Honey Boy] was an incredible experience. But then I ended up being preyed upon. At what point does Hollywood stop looking at money and start looking at people’s safety?”
LaBeouf later reflected on his behaviour during a 2022 appearance on the Real Ones with Jon Bernthal podcast.
Without naming twigs directly, he candidly acknowledged past mistakes.
He said, “I hurt that woman. And in the process of doing that, I hurt many other people and many other people before that woman. I was a pleasure-seeking, selfish, self-centred, dishonest, inconsiderate, fearful human being.”
The actor also revealed his commitment to personal growth, including making amends with those he has wronged.
LaBeouf, who shares daughter Isabel with his wife Mia Goth, spoke about his determination to build a meaningful bond with his child.
He added, “I have now until she’s literate to create a relationship with her where she knows me more than this idea of who I am in the public.”
Fans were surprised to learn that Shia LaBeouf decided to pursue becoming a deacon in January after portraying Saint Padre Pio in a biopic about the saint.
Friars in the U.S., who had helped the former Disney actor prepare for the role, shared that LaBeouf converted to Catholicism.
Alexander Rodriguez, a Capuchin friar and LaBeouf’s confirmation sponsor, later revealed that the actor hopes to become a deacon “sometime in the future.”
After his lead role in Padre Pio, LaBeouf joined the cast of Francis Ford Coppola’s sci-fi drama Megalopolis, which premiered in September.
Discussion