Shia LaBeouf attributes his arrest in New Orleans last week to his fear of “big gays.”
In an interview with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan published Saturday, the 39-year-old actor explained what led to his arrest amid Mardi Gras celebrations in the city.
“When I’m alone and three gays are next to me, touching my leg, I get scared,” he said. “I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic, then I am. Yes.”
“I’ll be honest with you, big gay guys scare me,” LaBeouf added.
A representative for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The actor, best known for his starring roles in “Transformers” and Disney Channel’s “Even Stevens,” was arrested in New Orleans last week and accused of punching two people outside a Royal Street business amid celebrations, according to police.
“LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person, punching him in the nose,” police said in a statement last week. “LaBeouf was again held until police arrived.”
It is unclear what exact circumstances led to the incident.
But in the interview with Callaghan, the actor seemed to suggest that he had an altercation with a gay person or that he was bothered by the presence of gay people around him.
“I’m good with gays, but be gay there,” he said. “Don’t be gay on my lap.”
“That’s why. I was drunk and it’s Mardi Gras. So everything I say is nonsense,” he added.
LaBeouf was arrested as he left the hospital that day for treatment “for unknown injuries.” He was charged with two counts of simple assault, according to authorities.
Last week was not his first encounter with the law or bigoted comments.
LaBeouf was arrested in 2017 on suspicion of public intoxication, The Associated Press reported. LaBeouf made racist comments to police after his arrest, the AP reported. The actor later apologized, citing his addiction as a struggle, and accusations of public drunkenness were dropped.
He was sued in 2020 by his ex-partner, British singer FKA Twigs, who accused him of strangling her and knowingly giving her a sexually transmitted disease. The case was settled out of court last year.
