Fans and activists said the role should have gone to an autistic actor, calling the casting offensive and misrepresentative of the autistic community.
Sia is defending her upcoming film, «Music,» after receiving criticism for her casting of a character with autism. Fans and activists said the role should have gone to an autistic actor, calling the casting offensive and misrepresentative of the autistic community. The singer wrote and directed the upcoming drama film, which stars Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr. and Maddie Ziegler. The film tells the story of a newly sober sister struggling to take care of her nonverbal autistic sister. Ziegler, best known for her role in «Dance Moms» and many of Sia’s music videos, stars as an autistic girl who uses her music to speak to others. A trailer of the film was immediately met with criticism after its release on Thursday. In response, Sia explained the film was inspired by her close friend.
