FKA Twigs Sues Ex Shia LaBeouf Again, Claims NDA Stopped Her From Speaking Out About His Abuse

FKA Twigs has returned to court with a renewed legal challenge against her former partner Shia LaBeouf, arguing that a non-disclosure agreement kept her from speaking openly about alleged abuse. The move shifts the focus away from the original claims and onto the legal mechanisms that may have kept them out of public view.

The 38 year old singer-songwriter, born Tahliah Debrett Barnett, first sued LaBeouf in 2020, accusing him of sexual battery, assault and emotional distress.

Now, the dispute takes on a sharper edge. Twigs argues that a proposed settlement included an NDA that limited her ability to speak freely, raising broader questions about whether such agreements protect survivors or keep them silent.

A Renewed Challenge to Legal Silence

Twigs' latest filing in the Los Angeles Superior Court centres on the NDA tied to earlier settlement talks. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she claims the agreement was illegal and unenforceable because it breached California's Stand Together Against Non-Disclosure Act, known as the STAND Act. She argues it restricted her right to speak about her own experience.

The claim reframes the case. It is no longer only about the alleged abuse, but about whether legal agreements can limit what someone is allowed to say in such situations.

Twigs, represented by high-profile lawyer Mathew Rosengart, said the filing is an attempt to correct a wrongdoing, with other female victims in mind. She pointed out that many victims of sexual and domestic violence simply do not have the resources to defend themselves or speak out against those they accuse.

The dispute traces back to negotiations linked to the original 2020 lawsuit, which detailed claims of abusive behaviour during their relationship.

Settlement Talks Under Scrutiny

The NDA at the centre of the case is said to have emerged during efforts to settle the dispute outside court. According to TMZ, the lawsuit filed in December 2020 was ultimately settled privately, though it appears some issues were left unresolved and have now resurfaced.

Twigs argues that the NDA went beyond standard confidentiality terms. She claims it included conditions such as a demand for a large payment if she breached the agreement. She maintains those terms are invalid under California law and is asking a judge to formally rule that the NDA cannot be enforced.

The agreement, she says, created a barrier that shaped how and when she could speak publicly. She is now challenging those restrictions, framing them as part of a broader pattern that limited her voice.

LaBeouf's Response and Legal Stance

LaBeouf has previously filed what has been described as a 'secret arbitration complaint,' seeking what was reported as an excessive sum for an alleged breach of the 2020 settlement. As reported by Variety, his complaint referenced a 2025 interview in which Twigs said she did not feel safe when asked about her relationship with the actor.

In earlier filings, LaBeouf acknowledged past behaviour, saying he had no excuses for his alcoholism and aggression. He said he felt ashamed and apologised to those he had hurt.

As for the latest filing, there has been no detailed public response from the 39 year old American actor so far. The renewed case is expected to revisit earlier arguments while introducing new legal questions about whether such agreements can be enforced.

The outcome may rest on how the court interprets the limits of NDAs in sensitive cases.

A Wider Reckoning Over NDAs

The latest development comes after LaBeouf agreed to drop his lawsuit against Twigs earlier this month, according to Page Six. It also comes at a time when non-disclosure agreements are facing growing criticism in cases involving abuse.

Twigs' move adds weight to that argument. By challenging the NDA directly, she is asking the court to consider whether silence can be enforced through legal contracts in cases involving alleged harm.

More Than a Legal Battle

For Twigs, this is about more than legal strategy. It reflects an effort to regain control of her own story after years of both public scrutiny and private struggle.

FKA Twigs, who has suffered a 'relentless' stream of verbal and emotional abuse, has also alleged physical violence, including being slammed against a car and strangled. She has said LaBeouf kept a loaded rifle by their bedside.