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- Primary Subject: Shia LaBeouf's New Orleans arrest and controversial interview.
- Key Update: LaBeouf was arrested twice in February 2026 for battery and later claimed his actions were fueled by a "small man complex" and "fear of big gay people" rather than alcohol.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 2, 2026
- Quick Answer: Shia LaBeouf was arrested for battery in New Orleans and later attributed the altercation to his discomfort around "big gay people" and an ego-driven complex.
After being arrested on two counts of simple battery during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans on February 17, 2026, the Transformers star Shia LaBeouf set the record straight that it wasn't his "drinking problem", but rather his encounter with "three big gay people."
WARNING: This article includes sensitive topics such as potential sexual harassment and potentially homophobic statements, so proceed with caution.
Transformers Star Claims He Doesn't 'Have a Drinking Problem'
"My behavior... I gotta deal with that. Does that mean I gotta go to rehab again? I'm just not into it, bro," the actor said during his interview with Andrew Callaghan's Channel 5. "I don't think my answers are there. I don't. I really, genuinely, don't. If I genuinely did, I'd go. I don't think I have a drinking problem."
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The actor was ordered by a New Orleans judge to return to rehab on Thursday, but LaBeouf believed he had a Napoleon complex: "I think I have a different problem, and I'm gonna address it. I think I have a small man complex."
He continued, "I think it's something that has to do with anger and ego more so 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." But the entire story doesn't stop there. In fact, he added a problematic key detail on how the Mardi Gras incident transpired.
Shia LaBeouf Shares Fear of "Big Gay People" Prompted the Recent Altercation
In the same interview, LaBeouf claimed that he was prompted when three gay men began touching his leg.
"I'll be honest with you, big gay people are scary to me," LaBeouf said, "I'm like, 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."
When asked by Callaghan how often it happens, LaBeouf replies, "It just happened one time recently... Well, that's why I got arrested." He continued, "I am wrong for touching anyone ever. And that's the end of my statement on this whole shit."
However, according to a statement from the New Orleans Police Department, LaBeouf was "reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasing[ly] aggressive" at a business on Royal Street the night of the arrest. Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf, who used his closed fists on the victim several times."
The police report also mentioned that LABeouf was alleged to have repeatedly thrown the word "faggot" at the victims.
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