Sia says she replaced ‘pathological liar’ Shia LaBeouf with Kate Hudson in new film

Singer-songwriter has made directorial debut with controversial autism film Music

Sia has revealed she replaced Shia LaBeouf with Kate Hudson in her forthcoming directorial debut, days after calling him a “pathological liar” who “conned” her into a relationship.

On Sunday (13 December), Sia voiced her support for musician FKA twigs after she filed a lawsuit against LaBeouf, who was formerly her boyfriend. Twigs, born Tahliah Debrett Barnett, accused the actor of “relentless abuse”, including sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress.

"I’m not in any position to tell anyone how my behaviour made them feel,” LaBeouf wrote in a statement to The New York Times. 

“I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalisations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years. I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say.”

Sia said that she had “been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single”.

The Independent has reached out to LaBeouf’s representatives for comment.

Sia has now elaborated on her history with LaBeouf, who appeared in the video for her track “Elastic Heart” in 2015.

She told Australian TV show Studio 10 that she had originally wanted LaBeouf to play the leading adult role in her new film Music, about a teenage girl with autism, but eventually chose Kate Hudson to star instead.

“I was going to do a narrative film, and in fact, Shia LaBeouf was cast to play Kate’s character,” Sia revealed. “I asked for a meeting with her, and she said she was born to do it. She could sing, she could dance, she could do it all.”

Shia LaBeouf and Sia (Rex)

Music, which also stars Sia’s regular collaborator Maddie Ziegler, has come under fire from individuals on the autism spectrum. Many complaints about the film revolved around Sia’s decision to cast Ziegler, who does not have autism. Sia has repeatedly defended her creative choices.

Music is to be released in February.