Shia LaBeouf’s appearance at Cannes following allegations of abuse from his ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs was not well-received on social media. Reddit users criticized his return to the entertainment industry:
“He should’ve been blacklisted.”
Another comment added:
“We don’t need a comeback. Whatever soft launch this is, stop it.”
The actor was in a hiatus due to the ongoing legal case before joining the ‘Megalopolis’ cast. So, a person reacted to a news headline that read ‘Is Anyone Canceled in Cannes?’ by writing:
“It’s not just that abusive, predatory men never seem to be canceled; it’s almost like people go out of their way to platform and support them.”
Someone else noted:
“I’m confused about what leverage these people have over producers/actors and directors, especially LaBeouf. Their acting isn’t so spectacular that the entire movie will collapse if the role wasn’t fulfilled to the fullest.”
Accusations Against The Actor
FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against Shia LaBeouf in 2020 and accused him of physical and verbal abuse, sexual battery, and emotional distress. She claimed he slammed her into a car, tried to strangle her, and knowingly infected her with an STD.
LaBeouf denied these claims but admitted to general abusive behavior towards others in an past interview with The New York Times:
“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.”
The lawsuit also mentioned abuse toward another ex-girlfriend, Karolyn Pho.
He Admitted To Hurting People
The allegations led Netflix to remove LaBeouf from the award campaign for ‘Pieces of a Woman.’ The actor stepped away from acting for a while and reportedly sought treatment after his dismissal.
He later talked about the abuse claims in a chat on the ‘Real Ones’ podcast:
“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-centered, dishonest, inconsiderate, fearful human being.”
LaBeouf admitted:
“I f*cked up bad. Like crash and burn type shit. [I] hurt a lot of people, and I’m fully aware of that. And I’m going to owe for the rest of my life. [I have a] long list of people that I need to make amends to.”
The trial between the actor and FKA Twigs will take place on May 14, 2024.
