The “Chandelier” singer appeared in “The Sunday Project” in Australia, to explain the reasoning behind her choice of casting. Ziegler will play Music, an autistic teenager who ends up living with her drug sister Zu, played by Kate Hudson.
“I realized that he was not capable, I mean he is capable and I believe, but it is actually nepotism because I can not do a project without it. I do not want. I wouldn’t make art if I didn’t include it, “Sia said.
The singer faced reactions from some in the autistic community, people saying she should have thrown someone who is actually on the autism spectrum, rather than Ziegler, who appeared in Sia’s music videos.
Ziegler was worried about removing the piece, Sia added, but said she put the role in rehearsals according to medical experts.
“She cried on the first day of rehearsals and was really scared and said, ‘I don’t want anyone to think I’m making fun of them.’ I said boldly, “I will not let this happen,” Sia said.
“Last week I realized that I can’t really protect her from this, which I thought I could,” Sia added. “I sent her to the Child Mind Institute and she received 100% performance accuracy. I realize there are some things I can’t protect her from as much as I try.”