FKA twigs Settles Legal Battle With Shia LaBeouf, NDA Restrictions Voided
FKA twigs and Shia LaBeouf have settled their lawsuit with LaBeouf agreeing to void a non-disclosure agreement that had restricted the singer's ability to discuss her experiences. The settlement concludes a six-year legal conflict that began when Barnett sued LaBeouf in 2020 alleging sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress from their 2018-2019 relationship. The removal of the NDA allows twigs to publicly discuss her experiences and support advocacy organizations without legal constraints.
The settlement represents a significant legal development in a protracted dispute that began in 2020. Barnett's initial lawsuit alleged misconduct during their brief 2018-2019 romance, which originated on the set of the film Honey Boy. While the parties reached a settlement on the sexual battery claims in the prior year, the agreement inadvertently created new restrictions on Barnett's speech through a non-disclosure clause.
The actor subsequently challenged Barnett's public statements to media outlets, contending she had breached the NDA by discussing her emotional safety and mentioning women's advocacy work. Barnett countered that California law prohibits NDAs from silencing abuse survivors, leading to additional litigation. LaBeouf's legal team has now conceded the dispute, agreeing to eliminate the contractual restrictions that had constrained Barnett's ability to speak publicly about her experiences.
The case may influence how settlements in sexual misconduct disputes are structured, particularly regarding NDAs and survivor speech rights. The resolution could establish practical precedent for balancing confidentiality agreements with California's public policy protecting abuse survivors' voices. Beyond the principals involved, the outcome may impact how other survivors navigate similar legal terrain and could prompt organizations handling misconduct cases to reconsider restrictive agreement language that conflicts with state protections.