Shia LaBeouf raised eyebrows for allegedly sharing private emails he exchanged with Timothée Chalamet.
Controversy initially erupted over a May 2025 interview where LaBeouf referenced Chalamet’s stated goal of being “one of the greats” in their shared profession — with some fans arguing that LaBeouf’s comments were either critical or judgmental.
“On him, it’s cute. On me, it wasn’t cute,” LaBeouf said in part. “You know what I’m saying?”
LaBeouf later responded on X by insisting that he and Chalamet were “good,” but then seemingly leaked private emails in hopes of proving his point.
Keep scrolling for the full story on the supposed beef between LaBeouf and Chalamet:
How It Started
Shia LaBeouf attends the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards Toni Anne Barson/WireImage
LaBeouf initially compared his career goals to Chalamet in a May 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Chalamet came up as LaBeouf reflected on dropping out of what would have been his Broadway debut opposite Alec Baldwin in Lyle Kessler’s play Orphans in 2013.
LaBeouf and Baldwin have made no secret of the fact that they clashed behind the scenes of the stage production, though the exact details surrounding the former Disney Channel star’s departure remain in dispute. LaBeouf has said he voluntarily backed out of Orphans to avoid further conflict, while Baldwin wrote in New York Magazine in 2014 that his costar was “fired” by producers.
As he looked back on that difficult period, LaBeouf told The Hollywood Reporter that he and Baldwin were now “good” thanks in part to his conversion of Catholicism in 2023.
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“[Religion] changes the way you work, for sure. Me and Alec would never have these problems now. But I was in an island,” he said. “Then I hear Timothée Chalamet get up and he says something like, ‘I want to be great.’ I so know the feeling. On him, it’s cute. On me, it wasn’t cute. You know what I’m saying?”
LaBeouf’s reference came from the A Complete Unknown star’s acceptance speech when he became the youngest-ever winner of the SAG Award for Best Actor in February 2025.
“I was not expecting this at all, truly,” Chalamet told the audience. “I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to me, but the truth is this was five and a half years of my life.”
He went on, “I can’t downplay the significance of this award because it means the most to me. I know we’re in a subjective business. The truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that. But, I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight.”
The Backlash
Timothee Chalamet wins SAG Award, 2025 Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Some of Chalamet’s most passionate fans reacted negatively to the Dune actor’s name being invoked in such a way, especially since LaBeouf has been involved in numerous scandals over the past decade.
Aside from his beef with Baldwin, the Transformers actor was accused of “relentless abuse” and sexual battery by former girlfriend FKA Twigs in a lawsuit filed in December 2020. LaBeouf’s legal team denied “generally and specifically, each and every allegation” on his behalf at the time. A trial is set to begin in September 2025, according to New York Magazine.
Some fans shared their views via social media that LaBeouf may have attempted to throw shade at Chalamet’s earnestness, or he may have tried to link himself to the Dune actor for clout.
“I think the real difference is humility. if i’m remembering correctly Shia was very much like ‘I am great, the world just needs to catch up’ where Timmy’s coming from the more ‘I want to be great, I hope I can be one of the greats and I’m chasing that’,” one X user argued.
Another insisted, “Shia, who has lost sight of Doing something great still INCLUDES THE JOURNEY TO DO THE THING. He’s not taking accountability. ‘Poor me, I hurt a bunch of people to ATTEMPT something great and I didn’t succeed so now I’m doing another thing where the ego gets stroked. RELIGION.’”
“Shia was punished for wanting to be great too loudly. Timmy was applauded for whispering the same dream,” a fan wrote via X.
The Receipts?
Shia LaBeouf, 2024 Laurent Koffel/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
LaBeouf seemingly tried to publicly squash rumors of a beef with Chalamet by sharing some private emails between the two via X in May 2025. He quoted author Rudyard Kipling’s 1910 poem If, writing, “If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.”
“Timothée Chalamet is doing better work than anyone alive — we been good,” Labeouf added.
The two leaked emails appear to show Chalamet complimenting LaBeouf’s stage debut in writer David Mamet’s play Henry Johnson — where he portrayed a charismatic and predatory prison inmate. (LaBeouf starred in the 2025 film version of Henry Johnson as well.)
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“Absolutely blown away by your work the other night. Totally electric, totally present at every turn, king of your kingdom even if that kingdom is a miserable 4×4 prison cell,” Chalamet allegedly wrote. “What a fantastic play. I hope you guys take it to New York. And I hope this is the beginning of your work on stage and not an anomaly !!”
LaBeouf replied, “Thank you doggy / Every blessing to you / Fun watching you evolve / Take ownership / Bang bang.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Chalamet’s representatives for further information.
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