π€π‘Sia Unmasks Her Own Rainbow: Journeying the Autism Spectrum π
TL;DR:
Music sensation, Sia, famed for ‘Chandelier’, is beginning a brand new verse in her life. The recent unfolding of her health story, revealing she’s on the autism spectrum, was aired during a podcast episode. Sia’s journey is one of unmasking and acceptance, and interestingly, also ties back to some past controversy about her film ‘Music’. So, are we ready to dance along to her new rhythm? πΆ
In a podcast episode that would have listeners tuning in their whole attention, Sia, the voice behind the hit ‘Chandelier’, disclosed that she’s an active traveler on the autism spectrum. No more hiding behind wigs and oversized bows, the singer is rocking her newfound authenticity like a pro.
During her dialogue with Survivor contestant Carolyn Wiger, Sia wasn’t shy of being raw and real. “Being in recovery and knowing about which neuroatypicality you may have… I think one of the greatest things is nobody can ever know you and love you when you’re filled with secrets and living in shame,” she declared. π
Question is, how long was Sia shadow dancing with these ‘secrets’? “For 45 years I was like, ‘Iβve got to go put my human suit on.’ Only in the last two years have I become fully, fully myself,” she confessed. But what sparked this grand revelation? π€
Looking back at 2020, Sia was in the hot seat for selecting a neurotypical actress, Maddie Ziegler, to act as an autistic teen in her movie, ‘Music’. It stirred quite the ruckus, with questions of representation bouncing around. Actress Bronagh Waugh had tweeted, βHi Sia, can I ask why you didnβt cast a disabled actor for this part?” Sia’s reply? βCasting 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.β π©βπ¬
So, how well did Sia tread the fine line of representation and appropriation in ‘Music’? She shared that the movie was a dedication to a non-verbal friend on the spectrum and his mother. With 13 cast members on the spectrum and two advisors with autism, Sia claimed her movie to be a “love letter to caregivers and to the autism community”. Does that make her actions justified? Or is it a question of too little, too late? π₯π
Whether her past actions can be excused or not, Sia’s personal journey does bring a new perspective to the table. It’s an interesting crescendo to a tale we thought we knew. But we’re left to wonder, how will this new revelation echo in her future actions, both in her career and personal life? π«
Do you think Siaβs recent disclosure about her autism spectrum diagnosis will lead to a deeper understanding and acceptance within society or is it just another footnote in celebrity confessionals? And can her past decisions be viewed in a new light given her own autism spectrum revelation? π€·ββοΈ
Remember: this article is not advice and is meant to inform and entertain. Always seek professional advice for health and personal issues.
News Story URL: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/sia-autism-spectrum-diagnosis-1235342883/
