FKA Twigs sat down with Gayle King for her first interview since filing a lawsuit against Shia LaBeouf [1] for sexual battery. In the interview, which aired in the US on CBS This Morning on Thursday, the 33-year-old singer detailed the horrific emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse she allegedly suffered from the 34-year-old actor during their nearly year-long relationship [2], which began in 2018 after they met on the set of Honey Boy.
"I was always told that I was special and to look after my heart and to look after the light inside of my chest. And when I was with Shia, that light got blown out and I just didn't think that that could happen," Twigs said. "Some of the worst times that I experienced in that relationship were when I think he felt like he was losing control of me and I was trying to get out."
"I felt so alone and that's why I wanted to come forward because victims and survivors shouldn't have to feel alone."
Twigs stated that LaBeouf initially requested that she give him around "20 touches and kisses a day" during their relationship, but that that quickly escalated into physical abuse. She then referenced in an incident that occurred during Valentine's Day in 2019, where LaBeouf reportedly became violent and threatened to crash the car they were in if she didn't profess her love for him. "I remember thinking, 'This is it. This is it. I'm done. I can't do this anymore,'" she said. "That's when I realised I need to get help to get out of this relationship."
The singer then explained her decision for coming forward, saying, "I felt so alone and that's why I wanted to come forward because victims and survivors shouldn't have to feel alone." When King asked Twigs why she didn't leave the relationship sooner, the singer corrected her and said the question should instead be directed at the abuser and it should be why are they keeping someone hostage with abuse.
Twigs filed the lawsuit against LaBeouf in the Los Angeles Superior Court back in December, however, the actor has denied the claims, saying that "many of these allegations are not true." He added, "I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalisations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years." Watch Twigs's brave interview in full in the video above.