Australian singer-songwriter Sia released a music video for her popular song “Elastic Heart” last week. The music video features 12-year-old “Dance Moms” star Maddie Ziegler and well-known actor Shia LaBeouf dancing together in a large cage.
The collaboration did not go over well with certain viewers. The video immediately received criticism for its apparent sexual undertones and ?pedophilia.
Sia took to Twitter to make an apology for the ‘controversial’ music video after receiving public criticism.
Sia tweeted: “I anticipated some ‘pedophilia!!!’ Cries for this video. All I can say is Maddie and Shia are two of the only actors I felt could play these two warring ‘sia’ self states.”
Ziegler was the solo feature dancer in another music video for Sia’s “Chandelier,” which did not receive such criticism.
The Editorial Board believes the real issue is not a question of suggested pedophilia in “Elastic Heart,” but the needless sexualization of a 12-year-old girl.
Sia’s apology continues: “I apologize to those who feel triggered by #ElasticHeart. My intention was to create some emotional content, not to upset anybody.”
The music video features an interpretive dance between two people representing two different parts of Sia. It is supposed to be intense and striking. That does not mean it is guaranteed to be sexual.
The sexualization of female child stars is nothing new in our society. The media’s sexualization of women in general is nothing new, either. Prime examples are Emma Watson and Miley Cyrus. Other examples include every single female child star that grew up in the public eye.
While the music video is certainly intense, nothing about it is sexual, nor should it be interpreted as such. We suggest that viewers also consider the lyrics of the song and not only look at what they see and take it at face value.
In the video, Miss Ziegler and Shia LaBeouf are fighting and battling it out with each other. The theme is about struggling with mental illness. It is supposed to be interpretive, not sexy or pedophilic.
The Editorial Board believes it also did not warrant an apology by Sia. She should stand by her art and not be badgered into making an apology.
Sia tends to be quite shy about performing on stage. When she does perform, she frequently turns her back from the audience completely, remaining in the shadows.
In a performance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Sia stood under a spotlight at the back of the stage, facing away from the audience completely. Maddie Ziegler was the main focus of the performance.
Sia has battled with mental illness and suffered from depression. The artist has also admitted to dependence on painkillers and alcohol.
Her music videos are artistic representations of her struggles. She does not appear in her music videos, but chooses to take a creative approach with Maddie Ziegler. While Shia LaBeouf has yet to comment on the matter, Ziegler expressed her experience positively.
“Elastic Heart” is about fighting and then finally conquering our inner struggles. It is about survival. The music video presents absolutely no sexual undertones. It is intimate, yes, but it is not sexual.
