Shia LaBeouf is a breakout star in quite a few big screen movies, including Transformers and Disturbia, but began his career as a wholesome Disney Channel character in the popular Even Stevens. His next movie to be released onto the silver screen is the ever so anticipated Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, co-staring Harrison Ford. LaBeouf has always been classified as a goofy kid who doesn’t really cause any harm, until November 4, 2007.
It all started around 2 a.m. early that Sunday morning at a Walgreens store in Chicago. LaBeouf refused to leave the store after several requests by the stores security. According to www.msnbc.com, one of the security guards called the police after LaBeouf would not leave the store. LaBeouf was then charged with a misdemeanor for trespassing. Authorities have reported that LaBeouf was “very courteous and polite.” Many celebrity gossipers, such as, Perez Hilton have accused LaBeouf of being drunk at the time of the arrest.
After viewing many news sites about the arrest, all of the articles seemed quite favorable towards LaBeouf. All of the pictures posted of the actor in relation to the arrest are very dignified and mature photos. Almost all of the headlines accompanying the articles simply read things like what can be seen on www.people.com , “Transformers Star Shia LaBeouf Arrested.” All of the articles are quite short and to the point. I feel as though the media could have been much more harsh towards LaBeouf’s arrest in contrast to other celebrities his age who have gotten into trouble with the law. The only people who are quoted in the articles are the Chicago police, and they only have positive things to say about LaBeouf.
The mainstream media articles were much more brief and unbiased towards the arrest, whereas, many of the blogs focused their attention on the fact that this is just another story of a “good boy” gone bad… at least for the night. Blogs such as www.defamer.com accounted the arrest very lightheartedly, almost as a joke. LaBeouf, before the arrest, has always done an excellent job expressing his views on young Hollywood’s partying antics, which I think resulted in the medias laxness towards his arrest.
I think LaBeouf acted very well in response to his arrest. He immediately admitted he had made a mistake and apologized. Another important thing to recognize is that he laid low after the incident and was very careful not to get into anymore trouble, which is something most young celebrities have a hard time doing. This proved to the media and LaBeouf’s fans that he is serious about his career, and simply made a one-time mistake.
All in all, I feel as though the situation was handled in the best way possible. LaBeouf’s actions before and after the night of the arrest should be a model for how all young celebrities and their agents should handle this kind of crisis.
