Jon Bernthal is an American actor known for his roles in The Walking Dead, The Punisher, and Baby Driver. He has received critical acclaim for his intense and gritty performances and has also appeared in films such as The Wolf of Wall Street and Sicario. He has also performed on Broadway.
In a recent interview with Joe Rogan, Jon Bernthal opens up about inviting and having Shia LaBeouf, who was accused of emotional and physical abuse and sexual battery, as a guest.
Shia LaBeouf and Jon Bernthal’s History Together
Shia LaBeouf is an American actor, performance artist, and filmmaker. He began his acting career as a child actor and later went on to star in blockbuster movies such as the Transformers franchise, and Indiana Jones. He also received praise for his performances in independent films such as Holes, Fury and American Honey.
Jon Bernthal and Shia LaBeouf have a strong friendship built on their work in the film industry. They have known each other for years and have worked together on films like Fury and The Peanut Butter Falcon, developing a close bond through their shared experiences on set. Their friendship has been tested in recent years after allegations of sexual battery and abuse were made against Shia LaBeouf.
The Accusations Against Shia LaBeouf
In 2020, Musician FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend, actor Shia LaBeouf, accusing him of physical, emotional, and mental abuse during their relationship. The lawsuit included an incident where LaBeouf allegedly assaulted her at a gas station after a trip to the desert, where he had raged at her and choked her.
LaBeouf dated FKA Twigs for roughly a year after they met on the set of his 2019 film Honey Boy. With allegations ranging from violent attacks to strangulation, FKA Twigs accused LaBeouf of knowingly infecting her with an STD and shooting stray dogs with a gun to get into character for his film The Tax Collector.
Jon Bernthal’s Reaction To The News
The news was a shock to Bernthal, who couldn’t comprehend the idea of a friend raising a hand to a woman. In the interview with Joe Rogan, Bernthal says
“When I heard that that he had done those things me there really is a red line with people that I need to look at with myself and through all the sh*t that I’ve seen all the sh*t that I’ve done man I just I can’t be down with you if you put your hands on a woman if you put your hands on a woman or a child dude I just like you know I can’t man I can’t get over and I heard this you know about my friend and you know I was really broken-hearted about it”
This made him take a break and step down from being LaBeouf’s friend. He made minimal contact and kept his distance from Shia LaBeouf. Although when the news of Shia LaBeouf soon going to become a father came to light, Jon Bernthal was sent into a moment of reconsideration for his decision.
It made him realize the importance of addressing the situation and making sure that his friend took responsibility for his actions and better himself rather than living in the past. He understood how true friendship is about acknowledging the mistakes made by your friends and making sure it never happens again, rather than stepping down from this role when someone needs you the most. Bernthal says
“This role that you have of being a friend and being a friend is not about turning your back on somebody when they’re when they do something that you find fuc*ing deplorable or when you find disgusting your job as a friend is to make sure they don’t do it again and your job now as this guy’s being a father is to step in there and say hey man where are you at like what are you doing what kind of work are you doing where are you like that’s what being a friend”
Despite the risk of backlash and potentially damaging his own career, Bernthal decided to invite LaBeouf onto his podcast to have a candid conversation about the allegations.
What Did Shia LaBeouf Say In The Real Ones with Jon Bernthal
During the podcast, The Real Ones with Jon Bernthal, LaBeouf acknowledged the charges and took full responsibility for his past behavior. He stated that he hurt FKA Twigs and other people in the past. He also mentioned that he has a long list of people that he needs to make amends to. LaBeouf said, referring to FKA Twigs without naming her,
“I hurt that woman, And in the process of doing that, I hurt many other people, and many other people before that woman. I was a pleasure-seeking, selfish, self-centered, dishonest, inconsiderate, fearful human being.”
The actor added, quoted by Variety:
“When I think about what my life has become, and what it is now, like what my purpose is now… I need to be useful. And when I look at this #MeToo environment, there’s not a whole lot of dudes that are taking accountability. I f***ed up bad. Like crash and burn type shit. (I) hurt a lot of people, and I’m fully aware of that. And I’m going to owe for the rest of my life. “
LaBeouf discussed being in a better headspace now, saying that when the allegations first went public, he wanted to hit Twitter and be like, ‘Look, I got receipts’. He added that his accuser is a “saint” and saved his life.
“Had she not intervened in my life and not created the avenue for me to experience ego death, I’d either have a really mediocre existence or I’d be dead in full.”
Bernthal’s decision to have LaBeouf on his podcast was not an easy one, but it was an important step in holding his friend accountable and making sure that he takes responsibility for his actions, and betters himself for the future to come. It’s a friendship goal to be able to help a friend in need, even if it means risking one’s own career.
Source: PowerfulJRE
