Sia released her latest music video yesterday and with it came a plethora of reactions–both good and bad. The music video for “Elastic Heart,” which has already accumulated over 9 million views, features Shia LaBeouf and “Dance Moms” Maddie Ziegler. The video features interpretive dance between LaBeouf and Ziegler, dressed in nude costumes–Ziegler in the same nude leotard as “Chandelier.”
The video has been receiving accolades for its interpretive dancing and artsy and poetic theme, but it has also drawn many criticisms as well. Some are saying the video is inappropriate and creepy, while others are going so far as to call it paedophiliac–being that LaBeouf is 28 and Ziegler is 12.
Sia took to Twitter to address these comments, saying that “Maddie and Shia are the only two actors I felt could play these two warring ‘sia’ self states.”
I anticipated some 'pedophelia!!!' Cries for this video. All I can say is Maddie and Shia are two of the only actors I felt could play
— sia (@Sia) January 8, 2015
These two warring 'sia' self states.
— sia (@Sia) January 8, 2015
She went on to apologize to those who felt “triggered” by the video and that her intent was not to upset anybody.
I apologize to those who feel triggered by #ElasticHeart My intention was to create some emotional content, not to upset anybody.
— sia (@Sia) January 8, 2015
Many people speculated that the video symbolized Sia’s tumultuous relationship with her father and how he couldn’t escape his demons–illustrated by the setting of the cage. However, Sia addressed these perceptions once again via Twitter. She reiterated that the video portrayed two ‘sia’ self states and that both Shia and Maddie represent her. She told another that it has “nothing to do with her dad.”
What do you think of the video?