‘It’s not a documentary’: Sia again defends casting Maddie Ziegler as autistic character in new film Music
Singer was accused of excluding disabled and neuro-diverse actors from their own narrative
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.
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