how is it both art and poweful and contrived and inauthentic? that seems like a complete contradiction to me.
Maddie, throughout this era has represented Sia as Sia is not currently showing her face, even while performing live. Maddie is a gifted PROFESSIONAL dancer so why should the role have gone to someone older if Maddie is who Sia wishes to represent her in this form of expression?
As for this triggering personal experiences for people, a lot of things are triggering for victims of molestation but there is absolutely nothing abusive about this video, sexual or otherwise and IMO anyone seeing such are looking for it.
I actually side more with Q3 on that one.
First let me address the girl, I'll bring it back to Sia later.
Yes, it is art and Maddie Ziegler is an incredible dancer, and was raised and trained to be a professional at that very early age, and (going back to our discussion about talent + hard work) has risen to the demands put on her.
Having said all that, she is a twelve year old, and not making any of these life altering decisions for herself. They are made by her mother, mostly, maybe another parent - dunno-, but that is about it.
This girl is an extreme athlete with many hours of training every day, (like gymnasts, skaters, etc), but she is doing so, in a field, where the whole emphasis is to sexualize kids very early on. There will always be discussions, where the line should be drawn, but imo, the slide between this kind of dancing for kids and kids beauty pagents ala JonBennet Ramses is a fluid one. See here one example youtubes that I grabbed off the direct link from the Maddie Ziegler video, just to demonstrate that point.
ht tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UV-cETbz8Q . (Take out the blank, if you want to/need to watch).
So, Mom decides that this dance career is not too much for her daughter, that she is not worried about the trained sexiness either.
Now to top that off, she additionally puts that kid on a reality TV show, which to quote Michael Slezcak from one article today, is nothing but a "emotional meat-grinder" for any participant, and for which somebody needs to be ready. This kid does not know any other life, she just goes along with what she is told by the adults around her.
Now, to take it further, she is asked to perform in a nude ballet suit in that first video (Chandellier). It was stunning, no question about that, but it did leave me with a few questions for Sia.
Sia has expressed in multiple interviews that she has worked with celebrities for years, and seen all the problems that fame brings with it. She has seen the paparazzi and fan problems, the media attention, etc. And she has decided for herself, that she does not want that in her life. I fully understand that, totally respect that.
But instead, she decides she wants the artist career, but just does not want to put her own 'face' in the public eye. So she uses a 12 year old that cannot even legally consent to anything, by finding a mother who is willing to put her daughter up for all that fame.
There are tons of stage moms out there, who have not experienced fame. They dream of it, and are willing to put their kids forward for whatever makes them famous. The fact that they are willing, does not make this a good choice for their child.
So, while I cannot help that there are dumb parents in this world, I do have to say, that I find it highly disingenuous to say, that she doesn't want to put herself through something, but 'using' somebody else's 12 year old, that is ok with her, because she can wash her hands from that decision, with the argument that it is the mom's decision, not Sia's.
Sorry, but that raises all kinds of flags with me. And that was just the first video.
So, now, this questionable alliance continues further, and Mom sells out daughter to dance in intimate way with 30 year old man.
When I was a 12 year old, somewhere in pre-puberty, I thought a 30 yr old was oooooolllldddd. I would not have liked to be with a stranger in that intimate way, especially dressed so lightly. Not sure I would want it even today, as a 50 year old, for that matter....but that is a different topic.
Maddie handles this...for now.
How this exposure will evolve over time, how Maddie is going to handle her puberty, and everything that is ahead of her, nobody knows. She will have to speak for herself when she is older, but I am not expecting her to be all puppies and rainbows, when as a 25-30 year old, she looks back at her childhood. And she will be very lucky, if she does not encounter abuse along the way, just like most gymnasts girls, beauty pageant girls, etc. are reporting, when interviewed later. There are always sharks in the water.
Of course, as always, Sia's alliance with Maddie is only one step in that whole career and whatever happens will not be solely the result of one or two videos. I understand that. That's what makes it so difficult to pin it down, and why people react with feeling uncomfortable, rather than being able to point to something specific. Words like 'inappropriate' are exactly there for such situations.
As far as the public goes? As with all such topics: Most people are fine, and a few are not, because their natural life situation or disposition puts them at risk to be either victim or perpetrator and the further we as society push the boundaries of freedom, the more fall through the cracks, on the edges. It's always that way.
Doing such videos with kids as artists does push the boundaries in an unhealthy way, imo, in the same way, as certain film roles do, that put kids into adult films, and other forms too.
I don't know either how exactly we should find a balance between expression of artistic freedom and such concerns for our children, but sorry, when it comes to kids, I lean towards protection.
Just expressing an opinion here, YMMV.
But please, don't bring that name calling here, that unloaded today on twitter:
Just because somebody has a slightly more conservative view about how to treat kids than you do, does not mean, that they are either pedophiles, or dirty minded, or nothing but hypocrites. Given that it was sadly members from this board who were throwing their slingshots around on twitter today, I thought, it's necessary to mention.
Alright, now, I'll head for that proverbial rock to hide behind, or go to bed. I realize this is a liberal forum, but I just happen to see this situation a bit differently. That's all.
