InFrame

FKA twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf, Challenging NDA in Prior Sexual Battery Settlement as Illegal

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) FKA twigs attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Amy Sussman

by Chris Tremblay  Mar 27

Los Angeles-based singer FKA twigs, legally known as Tahliah Barnett, filed a lawsuit on March 25, 2026, against actor Shia LaBeouf in Los Angeles Superior Court, challenging the legality of a non-disclosure agreement included in their prior sexual battery settlement. The suit stems from a 2020 lawsuit where twigs accused LaBeouf of physical and emotional abuse during their 2018-2019 relationship, including choking her, slamming her against a car, and knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease.

That original case settled last year, incorporating an NDA that twigs' attorney Mathew Rosengart now claims violates California's STAND Act, a law prohibiting NDAs that restrict survivors from disclosing sexual abuse, assault, or battery. Months after the settlement, LaBeouf's legal team issued an arbitration demand against twigs, alleging she breached the NDA by stating in an interview that she did not feel safe with him; the arbitration was later dismissed. The new complaint argues the NDA unlawfully bars twigs from discussing her experiences of sexual abuse, assault, and battery by LaBeouf.

Rosengart stated in the filing: "twigs files this action to right a wrong, and also on behalf of other women who are the victims of sexual and domestic violence who do not have the resources to speak out and defend themselves from predators." He added: "In so doing, she seeks to ensure that survivors of sexual misconduct are not bullied or silenced like she was." The lawsuit emphasizes that it seeks no monetary damages, focusing instead on "justice and law, not money," and requests a judicial declaration that the NDA provisions are illegal and unenforceable.

LaBeouf's representatives responded by arguing the NDA is lawful because the STAND Act's protections apply only to "sexual assault," not "sexual battery," a distinction the complaint calls "preposterous" and legally erroneous, noting that "assault is a precondition of battery." The filing further contends that LaBeouf has discussed twigs' trauma publicly without restriction, while attempting to prohibit her from doing the same, creating an ongoing controversy.

This development revives details from the 2020 lawsuit, where twigs described a "living nightmare" marked by isolation, verbal abuse, jealousy, and physical violence, including a Valentine's Day 2019 incident where LaBeouf allegedly choked her and threatened to crash his car. A housekeeper witnessed LaBeouf lifting twigs off the ground as she tried to leave, and former partner Karolyn Pho corroborated a pattern of abuse in a supporting declaration. LaBeouf previously told The New York Times he accepted accountability for some actions but disputed others.

While FKA twigs identifies as part of the queer community and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ artists in music, no specific LGBTQ+ organizations have issued on-the-record statements about this filing as of February 26, 2026. The case highlights broader implications for survivors, particularly in entertainment where NDAs have historically silenced victims of abuse, potentially affecting transgender people and others in LGBTQ+ communities facing similar barriers to speaking out. Advocacy groups like RAINN emphasize resources for sexual abuse survivors, noting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

The lawsuit arrives amid twigs' ongoing career, including recent efforts to address cease-and-desist letters from another act over her name, underscoring her determination to control her narrative. Legal experts view the STAND Act challenge as a test case for how California courts interpret NDA restrictions in abuse settlements, with potential ripple effects for high-profile survivors. Neither party has commented further publicly since the filing.


Copyright EDGE Media Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Pirates Ace Paul Skenes Gets Chased in the 1st Inning by the Mets on Opening Day

The crowd cheers and jeers as Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) exits the field after he was relieved in the first inning of an opening-day baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in New York. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

by Stephen Whyno  Mar 27

Paul Skenes thought he could get out of a jam in the first inning on opening day.

Tom Brady Says He's Weighed Coming Out of Retirement, But the NFL Doesn't Like the Idea

Founders FFC's Tom Brady reacts to a call made by the referee against the U.S. National Flag team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

by The Associated Press  Mar 27

Tom Brady revealed in an interview released on Thursday that he considered coming out of retirement, but the National Football League wasn't particularly receptive to the idea.

The Oscars Are Leaving Hollywood

An Oscar statue appears at the 91st Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon, Feb. 4, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Photo Credit: Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP, File

by Andrew Dalton  Mar 27

The Oscars are leaving Hollywood.

'Two Prosecutors' Is a Perfect Nightmare of State Corruption

This image released by Janus Films shows Alexander Kuznetsov in a scene from "Two Prosecutors." Photo Credit: Janus Films via AP

by Jake Coyle  Mar 26

Sergei Loznitsa’s “Two Prosecutors” is a nightmare of government corruption so perfectly composed that, by the time it reaches its chilling conclusion, you feel nearly as entrapped as its young protagonist.

Malinin Rebounds From Olympics at the Worlds With a Personal-Best Short Program

Ilia Malinin from the United States competes during the men's short program at the Figure Skating World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, March 26, 2026. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

by Karel Janicek  Mar 26

Ilia Malinin bounced back from misfiring at the Milan-Cortina Olympics by leading after the short program at the figure skating world championships on Thursday.

Women's Flag Football Has Basketball Players Trading Sneakers for Cleats Ahead of 2028 LA Games

LSU guard Kailyn Gilbert (16) goes to the basket against Florida State guard O'Mariah Gordon (3) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, March 24, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File

by Pat Graham  Mar 26

A year ago, point guard O'Mariah Gordon was leading Florida State into the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Fetty Wap Has a Lot to Say on 'Zavier.’ It’s His First Album Since Being Released From Prison

Fetty Wap Poses for a portrait on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in New York. Photo Credit: Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP

by Maria Sherman  Mar 26

Fetty Wap is beaming so big, it is almost as if his smile enters the room before he does. And these days, the Paterson, New Jersey-born melodic rapper and singer has a lot to be happy about.

Bill Maher Will Win the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Humor Prize Following White House Denial

Bill Maher arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

by Steven Sloan  Mar 26

Bill Maher will win the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Kennedy Center said Thursday, less than a week after the White House forcefully denied that the comedian, who has had a hot-and-cold relationship with President Donald Trump, would win it.

'They Will Kill You' Is a Failed Attempt at Satanic, Supernatural Horror Pulp

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Zazie Beetz in a scene from "They Will Kill You." Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

by Mark Kennedy  Mar 26

If you're looking for some killer real estate, might we suggest The Virgil, an exclusive, well-appointed building in New York City? It's one of those century-old hotel-condos with great bones and spacious apartments, fully furnished. One drawback they might not mention on Zillow is all the murderous satanists.