After revealing the first teaser trailer for her forthcoming directorial debut, Music, Sia has received backlash over casting a neurotypical actress as the autistic lead character.
The film revolves around the character of Music, a young girl with nonverbal autism, who finds herself in the care of her older half-sister, the newly sober Zu (Kate Hudson). However, many people were not happy with Sia’s decision to cast her longtime collaborator Maddie Ziegler as Music rather than an actress who actually has autism.
Responding to critics on Twitter, Sia wrote: “I actually tried working with a beautiful young girl non verbal on the spectrum and she found it unpleasant and stressful. So that’s why I cast Maddie.” In a separate tweet, she added that “casting someone at her level of functioning was cruel, not kind, so I made the executive decision that we would do our best to lovingly represent the community.”
She also stated that she “cast thirteen neuroatypical people, three trans folk, and not as fucking prostitutes or drug addicts but as doctors, nurses and singers. Fucking sad nobody’s even seen the dang movie. My heart has always been in the right place.”
You can check out the trailer for Music and read some of the back-and-forth below. Earlier this week, Sia announced a new album accompanying the film titled Music – Songs From and Inspired by the Motion Picture and shared a new song, ‘Hey Boy’.
I actually tried working with a a beautiful young girl non verbal on the spectrum and she found it unpleasant and stressful. So that’s why I cast Maddie.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I hired plenty of special abilities kids. I’m willing to be misunderstood because I think this movie does more good than harm.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I agree. I’ve never referred to music as disabled. Special abilities is what I’ve always said, and casting someone at her level of functioning was cruel, not kind, so I made the executive decision that we would do our best to lovingly represent the community.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I don’t believe I’ve ever referred to autism and suffering in the same sentence. I have said, flourishing or suffering depending on where you are on the spectrum, but obviously this was very dear to my heart.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I’m sorry we were never introduced. My character was pretty low functioning and after attempting a few actors on the spectrum they suggested I use Maddie.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
Mocking is the very last thing either Maddie or I wanted to be so misunderstood. Please watch it before you judge it.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I’m so sad and confused that you think I didn’t research and utilize my friends on the spectrum! So many assumptions. I hope you love the film. It’s beautiful.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I’m so confused. The character is based completely on my neuro atypical friend. He found it too stressful being non verbal, and I made this movie with nothing but love for him and his mother.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I believe this movie is beautiful, Will create more good than harm and if I’m wrong I’ll pay for it for the rest of my life.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
Maybe you’re just a bad actor.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
Duh. I spent three fucking years researching, I think that’s why I’m so fucking bummed.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
I cast thirteen neuroatypical people, three trans folk, and not as fucking prostitutes or drug addicts but s as doctors, nurses and singers. Fucking sad nobody’s even seen the dang movie. My heart has always been in the right place.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
Grrrrrrrrrr. Fuckity fuck why don’t you watch my film before you judge it? FURY.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020
The movie is both a love letter to caregivers and to the autism community. I have my own unique view of the community, and felt it is underrepresented and compelled to make it. If that makes me a shit I’m a shit, but my intentions are awesome.
— sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020