‘Honey Boy’ director speaks out against Shia LaBeouf: ‘I have a deep respect for FKA twigs’ courage and resilience’

‘Reading what she endured left me heartbroken and I stand with her in solidarity,’ director says

FKA twigs attends the ‘Honey Boy’ premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival (Getty Images)

The director of Shia LaBeouf's 2019 film Honey Boy, has weighed in on allegations of abuse made by the actor’s former girlfriend FKA twigs.

"I have a deep respect for FKA Twigs’ courage and resilience," Alma Har'el said in a statement. "Reading what she endured left me heartbroken and I stand with her in solidarity. I’m sending my love to her, Karolyn Pho, all victims of domestic violence, and everyone who is trying to stop cycles of abuse.

"As a filmmaker and an artist, I am drawn to stories that help us develop empathy for the messy parts of the human condition. Like many of Shia’s collaborators and fans who battled substance abuse, suffered childhood trauma, and face mental illness, I am painfully aware of my past investment in his recovery. I want to send a clear message today that none of the above should excuse, minimise, or rationalise domestic violence.

"I’m grateful that survivors of childhood trauma have seen some aspects of themselves in Honey Boy and might feel less alone in their pain. I hope that they don’t take these events as a discouraging moment in their own recovery."

Read More: FKA twigs sues Shia LaBeouf, accusing actor of sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress

FKA twigs starred in Honey Boy, which was marketed as a coming-of-age story based on LaBeouf's own troubled childhood. It was critically acclaimed upon release and won Har’el a DGA Award for directing her first feature film.

FKA twigs, born Tahliah Barnett, filed a lawsuit last week with the Los Angeles Superior court alleging that LaBeouf had been verbally and physically abusive during their time together. Barnett also alleges that LaBeouf knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease.

Another ex-girlfriend of LaBeouf's, Karolyn Pho, also spoke out against LaBeouf, alleging similar abuse, including one instance where the actor head-butted her to the point of drawing blood.

"Shia LaBeouf hurts women," the lawsuit said. "He uses them. He abuses them, both physically and mentally. He is dangerous."

Har’el will be making a donation in Barnett and Pho’s names to organizations that support victims of domestic violence.

Read More: Sia claims ‘pathological liar’ Shia LaBeouf ‘conned’ her into adulterous relationship

“I will be donating in Twigs’ and Karolyn Pho’s names to FreeFrom, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and Sistah Space,” she said. "I support and encourage victims in similar situations to speak up and seek help so they can create a path to safety and the healthy relationship they deserve."

LaBeouf shared a statement with The New York Times in response to the lawsuit that "many of these allegations are not true," adding that he owed his accusers "the opportunity to air their statements publicly and accept accountability for those things I have done".

In a follow-up statement he added, "I’m not in any position to tell anyone how my behavior made them feel. I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalisations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years. I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say."