However, the actor didn’t find the test as invasive as he thought it would, and was relieved to find it quick and easy. “You’ve got a sweet touch,” he quips. “What are you talking about? Thank you, Yesenia.”
The Twitterverse swooned at this viral video. Some tweeted about how they wanted to be the cotton swab that went inside the actor’s nostril. Another said that the clip of him getting tested kept them going amid the pandemic.
However, this isn’t the first time LaBeouf has become a viral sensation. The former child star has had his fair share of “memeable” moments.
The viral tune “Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf” emerged on YouTube in 2012, sung by Rob Cantor and LaBeouf. The oddly catchy song is about the bloodthirsty actor who kills other people for sport, and was inspired by Cantor’s friend dramatically whispering “Shia LaBeouf,” as per The Washington Post.
“Running for your life (from Shia LaBeouf), He’s brandishing a knife (It’s Shia LaBeouf)” the chorus went. “Lurking in the shadows, Hollywood superstar Shia LaBeouf.” In 2014, a music video with a cameo from the actor was released, titled “Shia LaBeouf Live.”
In 2014, LaBeouf made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and spoke about one time he got arrested that June at the Broadway show Cabaret. The actor had slapped Alan Cumming’s butt, and blamed drinking copious amounts of whisky during the World Cup.
A dancer from the musical invited him to the show that night, and he didn’t realize he was going to a formal, live show, and showed up after a few drinks. When Cumming walked past LaBeouf, he gave him a pat on the butt. “I give him a slap on the a**, because I think he deserves it. He’s seducing me, he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen,” LaBeouf told Kimmel.
The same year, LaBeouf notoriously wore a paper bag over his head to the premiere of Nymphomaniac. The bag had hole cut out for his eyes, and read “I am not famous anymore” in black paint.
In the summer of 2015, the actor shared a bizarre but oddly inspiring motivational video. LaBeouf stood in front of a green screen and did multiple mini-squats while aggressively telling viewers to “do it.” “Don’t let your dreams be dreams,” he told his fans. “Yesterday, you said tomorrow. So just do it. Make your dreams come true. Just do it.”
The same year in November, LaBeouf rented out a theater to watch all of his movies, and photos of his reactions were instant memes. The movie marathon was just another “Shia LaBeouf crazy art project,” especially since some actors don’t like seeing themself on screen. Film Twitter went berserk, and the gifs started rolling in.
After the major binge session, LaBeouf said he enjoyed the experience. “I can’t articulate how big this was. I don’t even know yet,” he said after the marathon, as per ArtHive.com. “All I know is I feel the weight of it. I’m walking through the streets and I’m smiling, like a cartoon character…I felt extraordinary support.”
