Shia LaBeouf stirs controversy with candid remarks about gay men during a recent interview, just days after his arrest amid Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans.
The 39-year-old actor sat down with interviewer Andrew Callaghan for an hour-long discussion recorded on February 24 and released on February 28. He opened up about the incident leading to his arrest and responded to claims that he directed a homophobic slur at others.
Arrest Details Emerge
Authorities arrested LaBeouf in the early hours of Mardi Gras morning on two counts of simple battery following a clash at a bar in the Marigny neighborhood near the French Quarter. Police identified two victims in the altercation.
Jeffrey ‘Damnit’ Klein, dressed in drag for the celebrations, claimed LaBeouf yelled a homophobic slur at him while attempting physical confrontation. Klein shared cellphone footage capturing LaBeouf in the back of an emergency vehicle, glancing his way and repeating the slur. Klein responded audibly, ‘Keep on calling me [slur].’
Nathan Thomas Reed, the second victim named by police, reported via text message that he endured the same slur multiple times and wanted the incident publicized.
Images from the scene depict LaBeouf on the ground, restrained during the scuffle. Court documents confirm charges of two counts of simple battery. Bar staff described LaBeouf arriving shirtless and without cash, appearing intoxicated and belligerent, repeatedly asking, ‘Do you know who I am?’
LaBeouf posted a $100,000 bond after a court appearance and now faces court-ordered rehab along with regular drug and alcohol testing.
Key Interview Moments
Reflecting on the event, LaBeouf stated, ‘Big gay people are scary to me. When I’m standing by myself and three gay dudes are next to me, touching my leg, I get scared. I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic then I’m that.’
He added, ‘I was drunk and then I felt infringed upon in terms of my proximity. But I wasn’t in my right mind, and so it’s on me.’ LaBeouf acknowledged his use of unacceptable language: ‘I said words not ok to say. I don’t want to hurt nobody’s feelings… I’m wrong for what I did.’
On sexuality in general, he remarked, ‘I’m good with gay. Be gay over there though. Don’t be gay in my lap.’
Family Ties and Personal Life
LaBeouf explained his move to New Orleans after the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025, highlighting deep family connections. His paternal grandmother, a lesbian, married a man who acted as her ‘beard’ to hide her orientation. She changed the family surname from LeBoeuf after her family disowned her.
He also touched on his marriage breakdown with actress Mia Goth, mother to their daughter Isabel, who turns four in March. ‘It’s not new heartbreak. I don’t want to talk too much about it. It’s not my story alone to tell, but my side is I failed my marriage, so I had to own up to that. So that’s why I moved out here,’ LaBeouf said.
The actor’s comments have sparked online backlash, intensifying scrutiny following the arrest.
