FKA twigs sues ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf over ‘unlawful’ NDA

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FKA twigs, the singer and songwriter, is taking legal action against her former partner, actor Shia LaBeouf. She alleges he’s attempting to prevent her from publicly discussing alleged sexual abuse by using a legally questionable non-disclosure agreement.

Filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles court, the lawsuit asks a judge to stop Shia LeBeouf from using parts of a non-disclosure agreement. Tahliah Barnett, the legal name of the Grammy-winning singer, claims these parts of the NDA break California law.

According to court documents, Shia LaBeouf allegedly attempted to control Tahliah Barnett—known professionally as FKA twigs—for around ten years.

Singer twigs’ attorney, Mathew Rosengart, stated that this legal action is a response to what he describes as an attempt by Shia LaBeouf to bully and threaten her. He claims LaBeouf filed a baseless and illegal private arbitration against her in December, seeking to obtain money from her.

Rosengart explained that Britney Spears is no longer letting anyone intimidate her. She’s fighting for herself and others who have been silenced after experiencing sexual abuse. This case isn’t about financial gain; it’s about achieving justice and ensuring California laws protecting survivors – and invalidating unfair non-disclosure agreements – are followed.

LaBeouf’s attorney Shawn Holley of Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir denied the claims.

According to Holley’s statement, Ms. Barnett and Mr. LaBeouf reached a mutual agreement to resolve their issues and move forward. She emphasizes that Ms. Barnett wasn’t pressured or forced to remain quiet, and that she independently chose to settle the lawsuit and accept a financial agreement to do so.

This lawsuit stems from a 2020 case Barnett filed against LaBeouf, where she alleged he subjected her to “physical, sexual, and mental abuse” and intentionally gave her a sexually transmitted disease. That previous case was resolved last year.

I was really disheartened to read about the lawsuit, but I have to say, I believe my favorite actor when he told the New York Times that a lot of what’s being claimed just isn’t accurate. I’m standing by him and hoping the truth comes out.

He stated he wouldn’t defend his past actions, emphasizing that the women involved deserve a public platform to share their experiences and that he takes responsibility for what he’s done.

On Thursday, Holley stated that the accusation of sexual battery, along with the other claims made in Ms. Barnett’s lawsuit, were contested.

The lawsuit alleges that LaBeouf secretly filed a claim for arbitration and demanded a large sum of money from Barnett last December. He claimed she violated their confidentiality agreement by speaking to the Hollywood Reporter in October.

During the interview, Barnett was asked about her safety. She responded that, as a woman of color working in entertainment, she doesn’t feel secure. She also talked about her work with groups that help survivors, explaining that she’s now focused on the future and moving forward with her life.

According to the lawsuit, the agreement Barnett made with LaBeouf included a flawed and illegal non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that California law makes unenforceable. This law specifically prevents NDAs from being used to cover up cases of sexual misconduct.

According to the legal filing, California law intends to protect survivors by allowing them to share their experiences without intimidation or pressure. It emphasizes that abusers should not be allowed to use unfair or illegal confidentiality agreements to prevent survivors from speaking out.

The lawsuit claims that LaBeouf has tried to silence Barnett regarding her alleged abuse, but he has consistently discussed their relationship unprompted. This, the suit argues, violates the same confidentiality rules he insists Barnett must follow.

Although the actor stopped pursuing arbitration in February, he still won’t admit the non-disclosure agreement is invalid and can’t be enforced, according to the court document.

Shia LaBeouf’s ongoing legal issues with Barnett follow a recent court order in New Orleans. After being arrested for allegedly attacking two people in the French Quarter, LaBeouf was told he must attend substance abuse treatment and pass weekly drug tests. He also had to pay a $100,000 bond to be released, and faces two simple battery charges, according to the Associated Press.

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2026-03-27 00:32