After the trailer premiere for Sia’s feature film directorial debut, the Grammy nominee was accused of ableism.
Thursday markedthe trailer release for the movieMusic, Grammy nomineeSia’s directorial feature film debut.
So that’s why I cast Maddie."
Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Representation matters, and we believe autistic actors should always be given opportunities to play autistic characters."
F—ing sad nobody’s even seen the dang movie.
My heart has always been in the right place."
Further replies from Sia, however, only enflamed the ongoing critiques.
F—ity f— why don’t you watch my film before you judge it?
FURY," she tweeted.
But the biggest point of contention users point to involves a conversation with an autistic actor.
“Several autistic actors, myself included, responded to these tweets,” a user wrote to Sia.
“We all said we could have acted in it on short notice.
These excuses are just thatexcuses.
The fact of the matter is zero effort was made to include anyone who is actually autistic.”
Sia replied, “Maybe you’re just a bad actor.”
A rep for Sia did not respond to EW’s request for further comment.
The National Autistic Society in the U.K. was among those engaging on the topic on social media.
“We’re concerned about what messages the film will send about autism.”
Gross also points to how the film revolves around a character becoming the guardian of her autistic sister.
The film is scheduled for release in limited IMAX locations this February.
This article has been updated with statements from the Autistic Self Advocacy internet and Autism Speaks.
