FKA twigsis speaking out about moving on from her allegedly abusive relationship withShia LaBeouf.
After filing alawsuit in December against ex-boyfriendandHoney Boycostar LaBeouf accusing him of “relentless abuse,” the 33-year-old “Cellophane” singeropened up toEllefor the magazine’s March 2021 cover story, saying she feels “lucky” to have survived the relationship. (LaBeouf hasdenied the claims.)
“It’s a miracle I came out alive,” said the British singer, born Tahliah Debrett Barnett, adding, “I think it’s luck. I honestly wish I could say that I found some strength and I saw this light. I wish I could say, ‘[It is] a testament to my strong character,’ or ‘It’s the way my mother raised me.’ It’s none of that. It’s pure luck that I’m not in that situation anymore.”
Barnett said recovering from their relationship has “been the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do.” However, she discussed how she’s moving forward.
“It’s very fresh, for me, obviously. I know [this journey] is not going to be perfect,” she said in the interview. “But I hope if I can make little steps, and people can see me taking my life back, it will inspire them. I’ve given [LaBeouf] back his dysfunction now. I went on my wholeMagdalenetour holding that dysfunction — it was with me onstage, every time I did an interview, on every red carpet. I was not enjoying any of it. Because I was still holding it.”
“But now I’ve given it back,” she added. “Now he gets to hold it. And everyone knows what he’s done.”
PHOTOGRAPHED BY RUTH OSSAI
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Last week, LaBeouf, 34,denied every one of Barnett’s claims, which included that he allegedly sexually and physically assaulted and battered her, as well as knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease.
LaBeouf’s lawyers also deny that she suffered any damages or injuries from LaBeouf and assert that her sexual battery claims should be dismissed because “none of the acts alleged were based on sex and/or the conduct was not sexual.”
The actor further is asking for judgment to be entered in his favor and for Barnett to be ordered to pay for his legal costs and “further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.”
LaBeouf’s response comes the same week the actor steppedaway from his talent agency CAAand is now on an acting hiatus as he continues inpatient treatment, which he began roughly a month ago, a source confirmed to PEOPLE last week.
The source added LaBeouf’s break is “so that he can get the help he needs,” following Barnett’s lawsuit.
Ina December 2020 interview with theNew York Times, Barnett explained why she filed a suit against LaBeouf. “What I went through with Shia was the worst thing I’ve ever been through in the whole of my life,” she said. “I don’t think people would ever think that it would happen to me. But I think that’s the thing. It can happen to anybody.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
