"Music": Sia's backfired film attempt

By Noor Memarzadeh, Staff Writer

Singer-songwriter Sia's new and very first film “Music” stars Maddie Ziegler, someone not on the autism spectrum, as a non-verbal autistic woman. Since the release of the film, many have argued whether or not it is appropriate for a neurotypical person to play a neurodivergent character or someone on the autism spectrum. Considering the many neglected disbaled actors in Hollywood and the inability for any non-disabled person to understand the hardships disbaled people overcome in their daily lives, the answer is no. 

Casting someone who is on the autism spectrum not only gives more representation of the autistic community on screen, but also allows the character to be played by someone who can truly understand and express the feelings of a neurodivergent character. Not giving the opportunity for someone on the spectrum to be able to play a role shows the lack of respect Sia has for the autistic community.

Sia’s, and many other producers', choice to cast a non-disabled or neurotypical person to play someone on the spectrum does not bring awareness to those communities. Instead, it takes advantage of disabilities and autism for profit and fame. If they cared about shedding light on the lives and struggles of these people they would make the effort to adapt their set for an autistic person to be able to comfortably act. On the contrary, Sia had originally casted an autistic woman to play the role, but later stated that the process was too stressful and unpleasant for the first woman. This indicates that producers such as Sia, who cast neurotypicals as people on the spectrum, do not find it important enough to find a neurodivergent actor and work with them. If the subject of disability is the theme of her film, it is only right that Sia respects the very group that are the inspiration of her art by employing them and showing them the same respect and patience as non-diasbaled actors. 

There are many disabled actors with talent who are waiting for a role to share their skill. Disabled actors are not given the same opportunities as non-disbaled actors, and to take these limited chances where they would be able to shine away from them shows the questionable motives of people like Sia. Instead of allowing the autistic community to have representation in the industry, she chose an easy way out of having to accommodate certain conditions on set for an autistic actor. 

A neurotypical girl, such as Ziegler, is unable to express the challenges that autistic people endure, and casting someone who does not understand is simply offensive. Instead of choosing someone who would be able to sincerely express their life through the art of acting, Sia chose to cast someone who has not and will never understand people on the spectrum.