Page Six recently broke the news that actor Shia LaBeouf and his wife, actress Mia Goth, had quietly parted ways a year ago.
The pair, who met on the set of Nymphomaniac: Vol II, married in 2016. Since then, they’ve had their share of ups and downs as a couple. They separated and filed for divorce in 2018, then reconciled in 2020, before welcoming a child in 2022 – with other reported rocky times in between.
LaBeouf has had numerous highly publicized run-ins with the law (including domestic abuse allegations) amid a long sobriety struggle. The announcement of his most recent split from Goth follows an arrest in New Orleans, in which LaBeouf was charged with battery in a Mardi Gras brawl.
At this time, Page Six reports, it is not yet known whether LaBeouf and Goth have filed for divorce.
There are many reasons why a famous couple – especially a notoriously troubled one – may opt to keep the details of their split on the down-low.
Personal pain. Divorce hurts. Having their most intimate problems and relationship troubles constantly under a public microscope only makes it hurt worse, increasing stress and emotional strain, and complicating logistics.
Protecting family. They love their children and know they’re hurting too. It’s crucial to shield kids from parental conflict, sensitive (or age-inappropriate) information, and the sometimes sordid details of adult relationship drama. Furthermore, it’s very tough on, for example, an adolescent child, to have their parents’ dirty laundry visible to all their friends.
Getting ahead of the story. Especially in the era of social media, when news (and fake news) spreads like wildfire, and the court of public opinion can be brutal, celebrities look for ways to control the narrative. Choosing what and how news is released, taking an active role in shaping the story, isn’t just vanity – it can have a substantial impact on the divorce process.
Aiming for an amicable resolution. When private disputes are made public, they can intensify the conflict between warring spouses, making it harder to reach an amicable resolution and increasing the likelihood of litigation. This becomes a vicious cycle: court battles not only prolong the process but, being public by nature, also further turn up the heat (emotions, anger, conflict) and the scrutiny.
Preserving professional image. When your public image is your brand, your livelihood, revelations about relationship conflict, accusations of bad behavior within your marriage, rumors, misinterpretations, and misrepresentations can all scar your reputation in ways that do tangible damage to your career.
Keeping sensitive settlement details private. For high-profile or high-net-worth individuals, business owners, public office holders, and so on, privacy in financial matters is crucial. Disclosure of sensitive details can expose them to the risk of fraud, exploitation, or reputation damage. Keeping certain custody arrangements private can also be extremely important. Regarding the divorce process itself, confidentiality encourages both parties to be completely transparent, fostering an environment conducive to communication, negotiation, agreement, and creative solutions. Some couples opt to hire a private judge.
Of course, we’ve all seen plenty of celebrity pairs duking it out in drawn-out battles – but divorce trend experts point out that, today, an increasing number of high-profile and high-net-worth couples are choosing to prioritize privacy as they go their separate ways. Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, Meryl Streep and Don Gummer, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are all examples of couples who managed, despite their fame, to divorce relatively quickly and quietly; some had even parted long before going public.
The lessons learned apply to average couples, too. Here are 5 additional tips for keeping your divorce discreet.
Avoid litigation. First and foremost, if at all possible, keep out of court. Choosing mediation or some other form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) gives you a much better chance of working things out amicably and privately.
Sign a pre-nup. Having financial terms in place before you’re in crisis greatly improves your chances of avoiding court, streamlining your divorce, and keeping sensitive information private.
Stay off the socials. Social media is full of landmines during divorce. Never post any details of your dispute or legal proceedings; don’t vent or drag your ex through the mud; be careful what you post from your own life that could be used to discredit or disparage you.
Be careful who you talk to. It’s natural to need a friend to lean on, a shoulder to cry on – but choose your confidants wisely.
Work with the right attorney. Although divorce generally creates some court documents and legal filings that become public record, a skilled family law attorney can advise you and help you monitor what becomes public. In certain situations, you can use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to help protect your privacy.
The veteran family attorneys at SFLG have been helping people navigate divorce for over 40 years.
By Debra Schoenberg
