Sia Apologizes to Autism Community for Film, Deletes Twitter Account

Sia has deleted her Twitter account hours after apologizing for controversial scenes in her film, "Music," that depict the use of restraints on autistic people. Shortly before ditching Twitter, the singer used her account to discuss the film with her followers.

"I promise, have been listening," the "Alive" hitmaker tweeted, per Daily Mail. "The motion picture MUSIC will, moving forward, have this warning at the head of the movie: MUSIC in no way condones or recommends the use of restraint on autistic people."

Sia then reminded followers that there were autistic occupational therapists specializing in sensory processing available "to explain safe ways to provide proprioceptive, deep-pressure feedback to help w meltdown safety."

She then said she intended to "remove the restraint scenes from all future printings" of "Music."

"I listened to the wrong people and that is my responsibility, my research was clearly not thorough enough, not wide enough," she said of the decision.

The pop icon also sent off a tweet that simply read, "I'm sorry."

In November, Sia was slammed by autism rights activists who took issue with the upcoming film, which earned a nomination for best picture in the musical or comedy category at the 2021 Golden Globes. The singer was criticized for casting a neurotypical actor to play the role of an autistic person, Variety noted. She also faced heat for using the term "special abilities" when describing people with autism, when the term "disabled" was more acceptable.

Sia fervently defended herself on Twitter.

"The movie is both a love letter to caregivers and to the autism community," she wrote. "I have my own unique view of the community, and felt it is underrepresented and compelled to make it. If that makes me a s--- I'm a s---, but my intentions are awesome."

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