FKA Twigs, also known as Talia Barnett, has returned to court, seeking to overturn a “unlawful” non-disclosure agreement that prevents her from discussing alleged abuse by her ex-boyfriend, Shia LaBeouf.
Barnett and LaBeouf began dating in 2018 while working on his semi-autobiographical film, honey boy. In 2020, she filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that LaBeouf had sexually assaulted her and subjected her to emotional abuse throughout their relationship. LaBeouf denied these accusations, and although the case was close to going to trial, the parties settled in July 2024. In December of last year, Barnett alleged that LaBeouf’s lawyers submitted an arbitration claim for breaching the non-disclosure terms after LaBeouf stated in an interview that he wouldn’t feel safe once the lawsuit concluded.
Although the arbitration claim was eventually dismissed, FKA Twigs is now pursuing her own lawsuit regarding the settlement from this incident. She argues that LaBeouf is unlawfully trying to stop her from discussing matters of sexual violence or sharing information related to her experiences with alleged abuse. In a complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, she seeks a ruling that would prevent LaBeouf from enforcing parts of the non-disclosure agreement, which she contends violate California law.
FKA Twigs “is bringing this lawsuit to right a wrong and on behalf of other women who have been victims of sexual and domestic violence and are powerless to speak up and protect themselves from predators,” stated her attorney, Matthew Rosengart. “In doing so, she strives to ensure that victims of sexual misconduct are not bullied or silenced like she was.”
California law currently bans non-disclosure agreements in cases involving sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination arising from non-felony offenses, a measure enacted following the #MeToo movement. This law aims to protect victims from being pressured into settlements by those with wealth and power.
According to reports, the agreement between Barnett and LaBeouf prevents her from disclosing any details about his conduct relating to her experiences with sexual abuse, as well as from discussing the matter in general. The lawsuit does not seek monetary damages; it emphasizes that it is about “justice and the law, not money,” claiming that these terms contravene the STAND Act.
LaBeouf’s legal team argued that the STAND Act does not pertain to the 2020 case because Barnett only referred to sexual assault but not actual assault.
The complaint asserts, “Mr. LaBeouf’s absurd claims should outrage all Californians. It makes no sense, and it is legally unsound because assault is a prerequisite for assault.”
Reportedly, Barnett’s legal action comes during a challenging period for LaBeouf, who was arrested on February 17 and faces two counts of simple assault following an altercation during a Mardi Gras event in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
