Sia has once again defended her controversial decision to cast Maddie Ziegler as an autistic character in her new film Music.
The singer’s directorical debut is a musical drama about a young girl with autism named Music (played by Sia’s regular collaborator Ziegler) who is raised by her drug-dealing older sister (Kate Hudson).
Upon the release of the film’s first trailer last month, a number of individuals on the autism spectrum condemned Sia for casting Ziegler, who is not autistic.
They called the move “offensive” and accused the artist of excluding disabled and neuro-diverse actors from their own narrative.
At the time, Sia hit back at critics, saying they had “no f***ing idea”, and now she has reiterated her belief in a new interview with Australian broadcaster Channel 10.
She said she “needed a dancer”, adding: “It’s not a documentary. Kate isn’t a drug dealer and Leslie Odom Jr. [who plays neighbour Ebo] isn’t from Ghana.”
Sia first conceived the idea for Music 15 years ago, and announced her plans to direct it at the 2015 Venice Film Festival.
It will be accompanied by a Sia soundtrack, featuring 10 new songs.
Music is scheduled to be released in February 2021.
