FKA twigs claims Shia LaBeouf bragged about shooting stray dogs to ‘get into character’
‘Recovering has been the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do,’ the singer and actor said in a new interview
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.FKA twigs has claimed that ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf used to brag about shooting stray dogs because it helped him “get into character”.
Part of an extensive interview with Elle magazine, the musician and actor born Tahliah Barnett described how, during her relationship with the Honey Boy actor, LaBeouf claimed to be method acting in preparation for an upcoming role in 2020's The Tax Collector.
When she questioned him about his confession, LaBeouf allegedly replied, “I take my art seriously. You’re not supporting me in my art. This is what I do. It’s different from singing. I don’t just get up on a stage and do a few moves. I’m in the character.’ He made me feel bad, like I didn’t understand what it was like to be an actor or to do this…Method [acting technique].”
Twigs filed a lawsuit against LaBeouf in December last year, accusing him of “relentless abuse” including sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress.
“Recovering has been the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do," she said in the interview with Elle.
She also described how the actor would become jealous of her relationships with friends and police her interactions with strangers.
“One time, he heard me laughing on FaceTime with my friend. He came in and had a massive argument with me because he said he doesn’t make me laugh like that,” she recalled.
“So then I had to hide laughing with my friends. It’s [about] isolation, so I don’t talk to my friends. He hated that I had an experience to myself [with] something that didn’t involve him, a memory that gave me joy.”
LaBeouf is reportedly receiving care at an inpatient treatment facility. In response to the lawsuit, he told The New York Times: “I’m not in any position to tell anyone how my behaviour made them feel.
“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. There is nothing else I can really say.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Last week, LaBeouf's lawyers said the 34-year-old actor denies “each and every allegation” made by twigs in the original lawsuit, in the “defendant’s answer to complaint” filed on 5 February, according to Rolling Stone.
The response also denied “that Plaintiff [FKA Twigs, real name Tahliah Barnett] has sustained any injury or loss by reason of any act or omission on the part of Defendant, and denies that Plaintiff is entitled to any relief or damages whatsoever.”
The Independent has reached out to LaBeouf’s representatives for comment.