Shia LaBeouf's entire career and image have been marred by shocking allegations of sexual battery and assault against women. His erratic behavior, combined with his public struggles with addiction have deeply affected the disgraced actor and his tainted reputation now follows him everywhere he goes. Shockingly, that didn't stand in the way of his relationship wtih Margaret Qualley - at least, not at first.
The two embarked on a romantic journey for several months before his behavior and reputation took a toll on the couple, turning their previously blissful lives into a very messy relationship that would eventually come crumbling down. US Weekly reported on the Shia's violent past and the many ways his reputation crept up to haunt him and create a very messy situation between LaBeouf and Qualley.
10 They Turned Business Into Pleasure
Margaret Qualley was participating in a music video for her sister, Rainey Qualley, when she met Shia LaBeouf on the set of the shoot. Qualley was just 26 years old at the time and LaBeouf was 35, making him nearly 10 years her senior. This didn't seem to be an issue for the couple, who starred in the Love Me Like You Hate Me video together, and sparks began to fly. Business quickly turned to pleasure, and the two began to see one another casually from that point forward.
9 The End Of 2020 Was Hot And Heavy
Shia and Margaret didn't come forward to make their relationship 'official,' but they didn't realy have to. Their behavior when they were out and about in public said it all. In December of 2020, they were spotted making out and getting hot and heavy at LAX Airport. Shia picked Margaret up after her flight landed, and they were spotted kissing passionately in his truck, quickly leading to a not-so-PG show.
8 The Couple Seemed Unified
At the same time that Margaret and Shia were creating sparks between them, fires had ignited on social media. Fans were livid over the fact that Shia LaBeouf was facing serious accusations of violence and aggravated sexual assault, yet Margaret Qualley seemed oblivious and was all-in with her newfound boyfriend. The pair were spotted in public quite frequently and seemed unphased by the allegations of abuse, and they truly seemed to be a strong, unified force that wasn't allowing in any outside noise.
7 Margaret Was Convinced Shia Was A Genuinely Great Guy
During the early stages of their relationship, Margaret was hearing rumblings about Shia LaBeouf's vile behavior and the seriousness of the charges that were being stacked high against him. However, she was not paying any attention to the negativity and claimed publicly that this was not at all the man she knew and was sharing time with. She was convinced that he was genuinely a great guy and 'not at all what people made him out to be.'
She didn't buy into the accusations that his ex-girlfriend, FKA Twigs was making against him.
6 Margaret Qualley's Famous Family Becomes Concerned
Margaret Qualley may have been able to wave off the disturbing allegations against her boyfriend, but her famous family was starting to become very concerned for her well-being. Margaret's mother, Andie MacDowell, was said to be keeping 'a very close watch' on her daughter and threatened to come down hard on Shia if he acted poorly towards her in any way. She was highly uncomfortable with the continuation of this relationship, but Margaret wasn't in a position to accept or heed the warnings.
5 Backlash Invades Shia LaBeouf And Margaret Qualley's Relationship
It wasn't long before fans began to lend their voices to the conversation. Margaret Qualley faced extreme backlash on Twitter and social media was starting to slam her personal choices online. Fans were incredibly upset that she would choose to ignore the fact that Shia was accused of violent crimes against women, and she was dragged for being intimate with him amid the horrible accusations that had come to light. The critics began to seep in to their relationship, as Margaret faced their rage at every turn.
4 Margaret And Shia Call It Quits
The drama and chaos surrounding Shia LaBeouf's behavior eventually took their toll on Margaret and Shia's love-life. Their relationship was tainted and judged, and the scrutiny was really making Margaret think twice about what she was getting herself into. Fans speculate that something dramatic happened between her and Shia behind closed doors, because in January of 2021, their relationship came to an abrupt end, and Margaret's tone immediately changed.
3 Margaret Qualley Thanks FKA Twigs For Exposing Shia's Abuse
Vulture reports that Margaret Qualley went on to post perhaps the shortest, yet most powerful message on social media. In a bold and highly unexpected move, she responded to FKA Twigs' explosive social media post about Shia's abuse by showing her support and appreciation. She simply wrote two words; 'Thank you,' and it was all that the world needed to see to understand that she had seen the dark side of LaBeouf and now believed the horrors that FKA Twigs first revealed to the world.
2 Shia Is Wishy-Washy About His Innocence
Shia stepped forward to lend his voice to the conversation surrounding his abuse allegations, and his response was as confusing as it was disturbing. He released a statement to Time, saying, "I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years, I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I'm ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say."
Yet later, he went on to state that many of the allegations against him were false and then flipped back by saying, " I accept accountability for those things I have done."
1 Margaret Qualley Validates FKA Twigs And All Other Victims
Margaret's story and inside scoop of Shia's behavior behind closed doors was a story that every media outlet thirsted for. Everyone wanted to hear from her and wanted to understand what led to the ultimate demise of their relationship. During a brief interview with Harper's, she was questioned about why she responded to FKA Twigs' post. Margaret validated FKA's allegations against Shia by saying, "It was important to me for her to know that I believe her — and it’s as simple as that.”