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When Sia makes headlines, it’s usually for a good reason. The pop star is making her directorial debut in the new film, Music. But it’s come under fire due to its portrayal of autism. What’s also not helping matters is Sia’s responses to the criticism.
On Thursday, November 19, the trailer released for Music, Sia’s highly anticipated directorial debut. Shortly after the video dropped, the film caused controversy due to its portrayal of autism. The controversy has only increased with the way Sia has responded to the criticism.
The “Chandelier” singer defends her decision to cast a non-autistic actress to play a nonverbal autistic character.
Sia responds to the backlash
The songstress cast Maddie Ziegler as the character with autism in the new film, Music. Shortly after the trailer for the movie dropped, fans called out Sia for not hiring an autistic actor for the role. Others were disappointed that the movie is associated with the controversial organization Autism Speaks. The 44-year-old took to Twitter to defend herself.
“I actually tried working with a a [sic] beautiful young girl non-verbal on the spectrum and she found it unpleasant and stressful,” Sia explained why she offered the 18-year-old actress the part. “So that’s why I cast Maddie.”
The character is based on the singer’s friend, who has autism. In a follow-up tweet, the Grammy-nominated performer claimed that the “character was pretty low functioning after attempting a few actors on the spectrum they suggested I use Maddie.” She then added that “she spent three f***ing years researching” the project, which is why she was “so f***ing bummed” by the backlash.
Sia explained that she cast 13 “neuroatypical people,” including “three trans folks” as “doctors, nurses, and singers.” In her profanity-laced tweets, she doesn’t understand what the fuss is about since “nobody’s even seen the dang movie.” The “Cheap Thrills” singer insists that her “heart has always been in the right place.”
“Elastic Heart” songwriter lashes out at critics
Things took a dark turn. Sia’s tweets got more aggressive. One autistic actor revealed that he would be willing to step in “on short notice” to take over the role.
“Maybe you’re just a bad actor,” she fired back.
Then she expressed her frustration over the backlash. She wished the critics would keep their thoughts to themselves. Sia said that people should watch the film rather than judging it. It’s obvious that she took the criticism personally.
“Grrrrrrrrrr. F***kity f*** why don’t you watch my film before you judge it? FURY,” Sia added.
https://twitter.com/Sia/status/1329741838836772868
The Australian voice actress co-wrote and directed Music, which also stars Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr. The album of the same name will be released alongside the film in February 2021. As for Maddie Ziegler, she hasn’t responded to the backlash. The Dance Moms alum collaborated with Sia for a long time.
She has starred in several of her music videos and even toured with her. What are your thoughts on the criticism? What do you think of Sia’s tweets? Sound off below in the comments section.