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Shia LaBeouf: Why He Spent 24 Hours in an Elevator–in the Name of Art

Shia LaBeouf is known for doing things–at least in recent years–that draw lots of negative attention in his direction. Once known as the cute child actor in Disney Channel’s hit show...
Shia LaBeouf: Why He Spent 24 Hours in an Elevator–in the Name of Art
Written by Kimberly Ripley
  • Shia LaBeouf is known for doing things–at least in recent years–that draw lots of negative attention in his direction. Once known as the cute child actor in Disney Channel’s hit show Even Stevens, he is now known for behaving inappropriately in public on numerous occasions. LaBeouf wore a paper bag over his head at last year’s Berlin Film Festival. Surely you remember that.

    These days Shia LaBeouf considers many of his actions “performance art.” While working on his latest masterpiece, the actor set out early Friday morning to occupy an elevator at EC Oxford in the U.K. for a 24-hour period. His only break from the elevator was a talk he gave at around the 12-hour point. The purpose of spending time in the elevator was to consider the ups and downs celebrities experience. LaBeouf has certainly had his share.

    Shia LaBeouf titled his performance art #Elevate. The entire thing was live-streamed on YouTube.

    Entertainment Weekly reports Shia LaBeouf entered the elevator at 9 a.m. Friday, and remained there–riding up and down and talking with fellow riders–until 9 a.m. Saturday.

    One fellow rider asked him what the most interesting or difficult or fun thing in his life has been.

    “The last couple years have been pretty interesting,” Shia LaBeouf replied. “Just because it’s been a lot of turmoil and also a lot of positive. It’s been a lot of extremes. It’s been a very extreme couple years.”

    Oh, yes–it’s definitely been a couple of extreme years for Shia LaBeouf. In addition to the aforementioned bizarre behavior, he also performed in a film--Nymphomaniac–having sex while the cameras were rolling. In 2014 he was arrested when he interrupted a Broadway performance of Cabaret. In 2015 he was arrested for public intoxication.

    Despite his antics, Shia LaBeouf is still acting. He will next appear on the big screen alongside actress Riley Keough–Elvis Presley’s granddaughter–in a film called American Honey.

    What do you think when you hear the name “Shia LaBeouf?” Does your mind go directly to “talented actor,” or does it hover vaguely on the concept of “nut job” instead?

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