• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Culture

FKA twigs further details alleged abuse suffered during Shia LaBeouf relationship

2:26
FKA Twigs sues Shia LaBeouf for 'relentless' abusive relationship
David J. Hogan/Getty Images, FILE | Rachel Luna/FilmMagic via Getty Images, FILE
ByMegan Stone and Carson Blackwelder
January 27, 2021, 2:26 PM

FKA twigs is opening up with more allegations of abuse she said she suffered from ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf.

Speaking Monday on the "Grounded with Louis Theroux" podcast, the 33-year-old said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks because of her past relationship with the "Transformers" actor.

"I felt so controlled and I felt so confused and I felt so low," FKA twigs, born Tahliah Barnett, said, alleging that LaBeouf forced her to live a "contained life."

Related Articles

MORE: FKA twigs sues ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf for alleged abuse during their relationship

The two met in 2018 while filming the movie "Honey Boy" and, after an "intense" honeymoon phase, Barnett alleged that LaBeouf became increasingly "jealous and controlling."

The "Cellophane" singer claimed that LaBeouf would become outraged if he caught her "being nice to a waiter or being polite to somebody," which she said resulted in him forbidding her to "look men in the eye."

"He would wake me up in the night to accuse me of all sorts of things," she said. "Accuse me of staring at the ceiling and thinking about ways to leave him [or] accusing me of wanting to be with somebody else."

In this Feb. 18, 2020, file photo, FKA Twigs attends The BRIT Awards 2020 in London. Shia LaBeouf attends the premiere in Hollywood, Calif., Nov. 5, 2019.
Getty Images, FILE

Barnett also alleged that he began counting the number of times she'd kiss him and, if she didn't meet his unspoken daily quota, she claimed "he would start an argument with me, berate me for hours, make me feel like the worst person ever."

The Grammy-nominated artist credited an abuse helpline for giving her a "massive wake-up call" to end her relationship with LaBeouf in 2019.

Related Articles

MORE: Sia calls Shia LaBeouf a 'pathological liar' after FKA twigs' lawsuit against actor

"I was left with PTSD from that, which again is just something that I don't think we really talk about as a society just in terms of the healing when leaving and how much work that has to be done to recover, to get back to the person that you were before," she said. "I had all this work to do to get back to just feeling OK."

Back in December, Barnett filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County against LaBeouf. In the lawsuit, she accused the "Even Stevens" actor of abuse during their nearly year-long relationship.

"Shia LaBeouf hurts women. He uses them. He abuses them," the lawsuit states. "He is dangerous."

LaBeouf, in an email to The New York Times, responded at the time by saying, "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."

Related Articles

MORE: Shia LaBeouf charged with misdemeanor battery, petty theft

In a separate email, he told the newspaper "many of these allegations are not true," but he also acknowledged that he owed Barnett and other women "the opportunity to air their statements publicly and accept accountability for those things I have done."

LaBeouf has since disputed Barnett's claims in paperwork filed as part of the ongoing legal case.

Representatives for Barnett and LaBeouf had no comment when contacted by ABC News.

For anyone affected by abuse and needing support, call 1-800-799-7233, or if you're unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 1-866-331-9474.

Up Next in Culture—

Demi Lovato brings out JoJo and Jutes during surprise-filled Madison Square Garden concert

April 25, 2026

How Prince Jackson tried to honor his father's legacy through biopic 'Michael'

April 24, 2026

Meet the cast of 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County'

April 24, 2026

'Jeopardy!' champion Jamie Ding reveals his secret to buzzing in quickly

April 24, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News