Shia LaBeoufis offering a controversial explanation forhis recent arrest in New Orleans.
The"Transformers" actor,39, said during a recent interview withYouTuber Andrew Callaghanthat the pair of assaults he was criminally charged with amid Mardi Gras celebrations came after he felt "scared" near members of the gay community.
"When I'm standing by myself and three gays are next to me touching my leg, I get scared … I'm sorry. If that's homophobic, then I'm that," he said. "I'll be honest with you, big gay people are scary to me."
USA TODAY has reached out to LaBeouf's representative for comment.
Shia LaBeouf has been in the spotlight for over a decade. After a breakout role in "Transformers," the actor became a Hollywood mainstay, his career spanning major film roles, off-screen controversy and legal troubles.
Scroll for a look through LaBeouf's career starting with
his attendance at the premiere of "Holes" on April 11, 2003, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
"Holes" was one of LaBeouf's early lead roles. The actor is seen here in a scene with Khleo Thomas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In 2005, LaBeouf starred as young amateur golfer Francis Ouimet in "The Greatest Game Ever Played."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In 2007, LaBeouf starred alongside Carrie-Anne Moss in "Disturbia," a thriller about a teenager under house arrest who suspects his neighbor is a killer." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In 2007, LaBeouf starred with Megan Fox, in the blockbuster "Transformers."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf photographed outside the iconic Hollywood restaurant Musso and Frank in 2007." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In 2012, Shia LaBeouf played the youngest of three bootlegging brothers in the Prohibition‑era crime drama "Lawless."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Felicity Gilbert, LaBeouf and Stacy Martin in director Lars von Trier's controversial 2013 two‑part drama "Nymphomaniac."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf leaving Manhattan Criminal Court on July 24, 2014 in New York City. The actor was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and harassment after disturbing a 2014 performance of "Cabaret" at Studio 54 in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf attends the premiere of "Nymphomaniac Volume I (long version)'" at the 64th Berlinale International Film Festival on Feb. 9, 2014 in Berlin, Germany." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf exits Midtown Community Court on June 27, 2014, in New York. The actor did not enter a plea after being charged with disorderly conduct and harassment." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In 2014, LaBeouf had an intense supporting role alongside Brad Pitt in the World War II tank drama "Fury."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf departs Manhattan Criminal Court after facing charges for disorderly conduct and harassment in New York on Sept. 10, 2014." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf attends at special screening on "Fury" on Oct. 16, 2014 in Columbus, Georgia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mia Goth and LaBeouf on the red carpet for "Fury" during the 58th BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 19, 2014." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf attends the premiere of "Love True" during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival on April 16, 2015 in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf attends a photocall for "Man Down" during the 72nd Venice Film Festival at on Sept. 6, 2015, in Venice, Italy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf poses for a mugshot photo after he was was arrested for public intoxication on Oct. 9, 2015 in Austin, Texas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf dances at the "American Honey" premiere during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 15, 2016." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In 2016's "American Honey," LaBeouf stars as Jake, one half of a hypnotic romance. He acts alongside Sasha Lane as Star, in the freewheeling road-trip movie/" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf outside the Museum of the Moving Image in New York on Jan. 24, 2017. The actor's "He Will Not Divide Us" livestream was a protest against President Donald Trump. LaBeouf installed a camera at the museum which ran as a continuous live stream for the duration of Trump's presidency. The actor invited the public to participate in the project by saying the phrase, "he will not divide us," into the camera." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Downey Jr. and LaBeouf pose in the press room during the 23rd annual Hollywood Film Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Nov. 3, 2019. LaBeouf won the Hollywood Breakthrough Screenwriter Award. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf and Alma Har'el attend the premiere of Amazon Studios "Honey Boy" on Nov. 5, 2019, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In 2019, LaBeouf played a drifter helping a young man with Down syndrome chase a wrestling dream in the film "The Peanut Butter Falcon."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Also in 2019, Shia LaBeouf starred in "Honey Boy," a semi‑autobiographical drama he wrote, playing a version of his own father." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LaBeouf's attends a screening of the "The Phoenician Scheme" at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Shia LaBeouf's movie roles, career controversies in photos
Shia LaBeouf has been in the spotlight for over a decade.After a breakout role in "Transformers," the actor became a Hollywood mainstay, his career spanning major film roles, off-screen controversy and legal troubles.Scroll for a look through LaBeouf's career starting withhis attendance at the premiere of "Holes" on April 11, 2003, in Los Angeles.
Shia LaBeouf ordered to rehab:Judge slams behavior after Mardi Gras arrest
The controversial actor and former child starwas arrested Tuesday, Feb. 17, for multiple alleged assaults, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY. According to police, officers were called at approximately 12:45 a.m. after two men reported being assaulted. Investigators said LaBeouf was "causing a disturbance and becoming increasing[ly] aggressive" at a nearby business.
The"Megalopolis"star was later taken to a hospital for "treatment of unknown injuries," police added. LaBeouf's arrest followed his alleged disorderly conduct at the business, which prompted a staff member to oust the actor from the establishment, authorities say. After he was removed, LaBeouf reportedly struck a man in the vicinity, using his closed fists several times.
He briefly left the area, per police, but returned later and began acting "even more aggressive." While several bystanders attempted to hold him down, he allegedly struck the same man a second time, also with closed fists.
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While LaBeouf started the podcast by saying he took full responsibility and would face the consequences of his violence, he later seemed to imply that the assault came after he was made to feel uncomfortable near gay people.
"I'm good with gay − be gay over there, though," he said. "Don't be gay in my lap."
His comments came during a lengthy conversation in which the actor rose from his seat several times and denied having an alcohol problem, citing a Napoleon complex as the source of his troubles. The interview came after a judge ordered LaBeouf to enter treatment as well as complete weekly drug tests.
During a Feb. 27 court appearance, Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Simone Levine scolded the actor for apparentlyyelling homophobic slursduring the brawl, per theAssociated Press.
Levine expressed concern for the LGBTQ+ community and "the safety of this larger community, especially relative to a marginalized community that has gone through so much terror," according to AP.
This is not the star's first run-in with the law: LaBeouf has been charged with multiple instances of disorderly conduct and physical assault over the years.
Contributing: Edward Segarra and Taijuan Moorman
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Shia LaBeouf says he's 'scared' of gay people in post-arrest remarks