FKA Twigs Drops Suit After LaBeouf Voids NDA in Sexual Abuse Settlement

Key points

• Barnett withdrew her March complaint after LaBeouf agreed to terminate and void the NDA.
• The NDA was part of a July 2025 settlement resolving Barnett’s 2020 sexual battery and abuse lawsuit against LaBeouf.
• LaBeouf’s team had filed an arbitration demand in December 2025, claiming Barnett breached the NDA by stating she did not feel 'safe' and wanted to support survivor charities.
• Barnett’s lawsuit argued the NDA violated California’s STAND Act, which prohibits NDAs in sexual assault and harassment cases.
• LaBeouf’s attorneys had argued the law did not apply because Barnett’s original claim was for sexual battery, not sexual assault.

Background

This dispute stems from a 2020 lawsuit filed by FKA Twigs (Tahliah Barnett) against Shia LaBeouf, alleging sexual battery, assault, and emotional abuse during their 2018-2019 relationship. The case was settled in July 2025. The current legal battle began when LaBeouf’s team attempted to enforce the settlement’s NDA after Barnett spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in October 2025. California’s STAND Act, passed in 2019, prohibits NDAs in sexual misconduct cases, a law Barnett’s legal team cited to challenge the agreement’s validity.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard emphasize the legal victory for Barnett, highlighting the voiding of the NDA as a win for survivors’ rights to speak. Rolling Stone focuses on the procedural resolution, noting the withdrawal of Barnett’s complaint. Jezebel offers a more critical tone, questioning LaBeouf’s motives and the broader context of the abuse allegations, while also noting the lack of financial damages in the settlement. All sources agree that the NDA is now void, but they differ in their emphasis on the legal implications versus the personal narrative of the abuse.

Why it matters

The resolution sets a precedent for the enforcement of California’s STAND Act, which aims to prevent the use of NDAs to silence victims of sexual misconduct. It highlights the ongoing legal battles between public figures and survivors, and the importance of legal protections for those who speak out about abuse. The case also underscores the potential for legal challenges to NDAs in high-profile cases, potentially influencing future settlements and legal strategies in similar disputes.

What to watch

Barnett is now free to discuss her experience and support survivor advocacy without legal restrictions. LaBeouf’s legal team has stated that the dispute is ended, but the broader implications of the case for NDAs in sexual misconduct cases may continue to be debated in legal and public spheres. There is no indication of further legal action from either party, but the case may serve as a reference point in future disputes involving NDAs and sexual abuse.