Shia LaBeouf Breaks Silence On New Orleans Mardi Gras Arrest: ‘Gay People Are Scary’

Shia LaBeouf has broken his silence about his recent arrest at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations, attributing the incident to his fear of “big gay people”. 

The actor was arrested and charged last month for allegedly assaulting three men outside a New Orleans venue as the city was in the midst of its Mardi Gras festivities.

LaBeouf reportedly hurled homophobic slurs at the men — all of whom identify as queer — and before he was ordered by a New Orleans judge at a preliminary criminal hearing to undergo drug testing as well as enroll in substance abuse treatment.

But in an interview with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan published over the weekend, LaBeouf denied that drugs and alcohol prompted the incident and instead said he “felt infringed upon” during the Mardi Gras celebrations. 

“My behaviour [is] bullshit. I gotta deal with that. Does that mean I gotta go to rehab again? I’m just not into it, bro. I don’t think my answers are there,” LaBeouf said. “When I’m standing by myself and three gays are next to me touching my leg, I get scared.”

The Holes star continued the sentiment throughout the interview, saying that “big gay people are scary to me” while acknowledging that it sounds “homophobic”.

“I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic, then I’m that,” LaBeouf said. “I’m good with gay — be gay over there, though. Don’t be gay in my lap.”

“I was drunk and it’s Mardi Gras. So everything I’m saying is nonsense,” he added. 

Elsewhere in the interview, LaBeouf said he has “small man complex” and that he was “trying to navigate” the source of his anger. 

“I think I have a small man complex. I’m gonna address it … I think it’s something that has to do with anger and ego moreso than my drinking, but that’s where I’m at now on my journey, and I’m trying to navigate it. I’ll figure it out,” LaBeouf said. 

“I am wrong for touching anyone, ever. And that’s the end of my statement on this whole shit.”

LaBeouf has had multiple run-ins with the law over the last few years. He was arrested in 2017 on suspicion of public drunkenness, during which he reportedly made racist remarks to police officers. 

In 2020, he was sued by his former partner, singer FKA twigs, on accusations of sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress. LaBeouf denied the allegations and the civil case was settled last year. 

Lead images: YouTube and Getty Images