Let's face it, Maddie already was exploited far before this music video came out (I mean she's a star on a Lifetime show:confused:). Sia apparently personally requested for Maddie to be the dancer in the video. As far as this music video goes, you either can get past the leotard or can't.
Personally, I think it's a haunting yet beautiful piece of work. Is it disturbing? Yes. Is it supposed to be? Of course. Depending on how you look at it, the music video can be interpreted in multiple instances as symbolism of Sia's own life struggles (childhood stripped bare via parents with substance issues, father walking out on her when 10 yrs old (sense of abandonment), history of drug/alcohol/mental heath issues).
I find it interesting to think about from an art perspective:
-The portrait of Sia in black & white (center frame) in the first choreo room sequence & obviously the blonde bob wig (looks just like Sia's hair)
-The bare, rundown apartment (dishes piled high in sink, walls deteriorated, gives feeling of abandon)
-The AA help book quote on the wall
-The robotic movements of a person on auto-pilot just trying to live day by day
-The facial expressions given at certain points/the repetitiveness of certain movements give off a feeling of mental struggles/OCD/being driven crazy
-The choreo of waving goodbye to the world & the curtain choking her but breaking free (sia almost offed herself at one point due mental health issues but didn't end up going through with it thanks to a friend calling at the right time)
-Yes, the nude leo (a childhood stripped bare OR literally having nothing left in life aside from drinking the pain away)
Would I put a future child of mine in this video necessarily? No, but it is thought provoking none the less.
So goes art.
