FKA Twigs Escalates Shia LaBeouf Lawsuit With New NDA Challenge
The singer-songwriter, represented by Hollywood power litigator Mathew Rosengart, accuses the actor of trying to silence her from speaking about sexual abuse in violation of a California law reining in nondisclosure agreements.
FKA Twigs Reignites Legal Battle Against Shia LaBeouf, Citing Illegal NDA
Singer-songwriter FKA Twigs has escalated her legal dispute with ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf, filing new court documents alleging the actor attempted to enforce an illegal nondisclosure agreement designed to prevent her from speaking publicly about the sexual abuse she says she endured during their relationship. The British musician, whose legal name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, is now represented by Mathew Rosengart, the high-profile Hollywood litigator best known for his work freeing Britney Spears from her conservatorship. The new filing argues that the NDA LaBeouf sought to impose directly violates a California law enacted to prevent abusers from using legal agreements to silence their victims.
The California statute in question, known as the Silenced No More Act, was signed into law in 2021 and prohibits nondisclosure agreements that would prevent individuals from discussing unlawful conduct in the workplace or instances of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. FKA Twigs and her legal team contend that any agreement restricting her ability to speak about her experiences with LaBeouf runs afoul of this legislation and is therefore unenforceable. Rosengart stated that his client will not be intimidated into silence and that the legal action sends a clear message that abusers cannot hide behind contractual provisions to escape accountability.
FKA Twigs originally filed a lawsuit against LaBeouf in December 2020, accusing the actor of sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress during their roughly year-long relationship. LaBeouf has previously acknowledged that he has been abusive in past relationships and has said he sought treatment through rehabilitation and therapy. The case had moved toward a potential settlement in recent years, but the new allegations regarding the NDA appear to have derailed those efforts and thrust the dispute back into the public spotlight.
The revived legal battle comes at a time when Hollywood continues to grapple with questions of accountability and transparency in cases involving allegations of abuse by prominent figures. Advocacy groups have praised FKA Twigs for her willingness to pursue the matter publicly, calling her case a critical test of California's protections for abuse survivors. A trial date has not yet been set, but legal observers expect the case to draw significant attention as it progresses through the courts, particularly given the high-profile attorneys and broader cultural implications involved.