Shia LaBeouf opens up about ‘small man complex’ behind alleged New Orleans assault

Shia LaBeouf said he must address “small man complex” after his New Orleans arrest over alleged battery and slurs

Shia LaBeouf has said he believes he needs to address what he described as a “small man complex” following his recent arrest in New Orleans over allegations that he battered three men at a bar while using homophobic slurs.

In an interview posted on YouTube by Channel 5, the actor discussed the incident and his response to a court order requiring drug testing and substance abuse treatment.

“My behaviour [is] bullshit. I gotta deal with that,” he said. “Does that mean I gotta go to rehab again? I’m just not into it, bro.”

He added, “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 different problem.”

LaBeouf told interviewer Andrew Callaghan: “I think I have a small man complex,” and said he believed the issue related more to “anger and ego, more so than my drinking”. He added: “I’ll figure it out.”

The 39-year-old was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanour battery at the R Bar in the city’s Marigny district during Mardi Gras on February 17.

He allegedly punched two men and head-butted a third after being asked to leave, and was accused of directing anti-gay slurs at them.

At a preliminary hearing, Judge Simone Levine set a $100,000 bond and ordered LaBeouf to undergo drug testing and enrol in treatment. A separate warrant relating to a third alleged victim led to an additional $5,000 bail, which he posted.

In the Channel 5 interview, LaBeouf said, “I am wrong for touching anyone, ever. And that’s the end of my statement on this whole shit.” He also stated, “I’ll live with whatever goes on. God bless them all.”

His defence attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, said in a statement that he did not deserve to be treated more harshly by police and courts because he is a public figure.