FKA Twigs is reportedly seeking $10million (£7.9million) in damages from ex Shia Labeouf and has accused him of improperly seeking her private records.
The singer-songwriter (real name Tahliah Barnett) originally brought the abuse lawsuit against the actor in 2020, where she accused LaBeouf of “relentless abuse”. Amongst claims of physical and mental abuse, Barnett also alleged LaBeouf knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease, and would deprive her of sleep.
His lawyers responded at the time by saying he did not cause her harm, and the actor has said he denied “each and every allegation” raised against him.
Now, ahead of her trial with LaBeouf on October 14, news has broken that Barnett is seeking $10million in damages from the actor. According to documents obtained by In Touch, the money would be compensating for Barnett’s “lost wages, lost professional opportunities and emotional distress.”
However, the pair are clashing over access to each other’s private records. Barnett has claimed that LaBeouf has not only withheld relevant texts he sent to other people about her, but that he was also improperly seeking “private financial and medical information that has no bearing on the issues in this case.”
According to Barnett’s lawyers, LaBeouf’s team “seeks the entirety of Plaintiff’s medical history, going well beyond the injuries that are actually at issue” without explaining why her “medical history, unrelated to her emotional distress or the condition transmitted to her by” LaBeouf is necessary, according to People.
On the other hand, LaBeouf’s lawyer has claimed that “contrary to what [FKA] alleges, she appears to have increased her profile in the years after her relationship with Shia and her career appears to be thriving”.
He also wrote: “In particular, [FKA] alleges that the release of her album was delayed due to mental anguish, and as a result she lost over $1million not finishing her album prior to touring. She has not provided support for this alleged delay, the reasons behind it, or that she would have earned an extra $1million for the album’s earlier release.
“[FKA] also claims she lost contracts because of Shia, contributing to lost professional opportunities. On her alleged severe emotional distress, [FKA’s] medical bills total $4,100 to a therapist.”
He also added that if the singer were to be awarded $10million, it would be “financially ruinous” for LaBeouf.
Barnett recently opened up to British Vogue about how LaBeouf’s abuse “changed her nervous system”, elaborating: “The fact is being abused changes the whole of your nervous system.”
She added that the relationship made her “‘window of tolerance” now “much smaller than it used to be”, saying: “My body manifests stress in quite extreme ways – it really shows me when it’s upset.”
Meanwhile, LaBeouf’s return to the red carpet in Cannes this year was criticised following the news of Barnett’s abuse.
On social media, his decision to return to the red carpet at Cannes promoted criticism and a flurry of Tweets. One user re-quoted an article that asked: “Is anyone cancelled at Cannes?” while another asked: “Why is Cannes so obsessed with redeeming men accused of abuse and sexual assault?”
Another accused the actor of treating Cannes like a “redemption tour” while abuse claims lingered, while a number of others simply used red carpet footage as a means to remind others of the charges and upcoming trial.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
The post FKA Twigs seeking $10million from Shia LaBeouf in abuse lawsuit – claiming he’s improperly seeking her private records appeared first on NME.
