Shia LaBeouf is speaking out following his recent arrest in New Orleans following an alleged bar altercation during Mardi Gras.
The 39-year-old actor appeared on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan on Saturday, where he addressed the incident and made a series of controversial comments.
During the hour-long interview, LaBeouf claimed he felt “scared” when he was approached by three gay men on Fat Tuesday. “Big gay people are scary to me,” he said, adding that he felt uncomfortable when they stood close to him and touched his leg. “If that’s homophobic, then I am,” he said.
Discussing the altercation, LaBeouf said he had been drinking and felt his personal space was being violated. “I was drunk, and then I felt violated in terms of my proximity. But I wasn’t in my right mind, and so it’s on me,” he said.
He also acknowledged using a slur during the incident, admitted saying words that were “not okay to say” and took responsibility for his actions.
Authorities previously alleged that LaBeouf became aggressive inside a business and was escorted out before allegedly punching one man multiple times. Officials said he later returned and allegedly assaulted the same person again, as well as punching a second man.
A new arrest warrant was issued on Friday in connection with his arrest on February 17. He posted $100,000 bail after a court appearance and must now attend rehab and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing.
Elsewhere in the interview, LaBeouf discussed his family history, saying that his paternal grandmother was a lesbian and married a man who served as her “beard,” a partner meant to publicly conceal one’s sexuality.
He also spoke briefly about the end of his marriage to Mia Goth. The former couple also share a daughter, Isabel, who turns four in March.
