Who thought Sia and Maddie Ziegler’s movie ‘Music’ deserves awards?

Sia & Maddie Ziegler’s 2020 film Music received a lot of criticism after its initial release, and yet it was nominated for a Golden Globe. But who exactly decided that the controversial film deserved recognition this award season?

Music

The musical drama Music is Sia’s recent musical project alongside her famous dance prodigy Maddie Ziegler. The film stars famous actors like Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr. and Héctor Elizondo. 

Music is about a young girl named Music (Maddie Ziegler) who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum. Music finds herself without a guardian, so Music’s estranged older sister Zu (Kate Hudson) steps in and learns how to look after her. Unfortunately Zu is quite the wild one and struggles to even look after herself. But with the help from neighbor Ebo (Leslie Odom Jr.), Zu finds her sister’s disability much easier to live with. 

Zu’s most iconic line in the film – “I’m going to help her just like she helps me” – pretty much sums up what the film is all about. 

After Music’s trailer was released in November 2020, Sia told Variety: “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.” 

Sia also produced ten new songs for the film. So, why all the hate? 

To every #ActuallyAutistic person who is rightly devastated to see #Sia"s 'Music' nominated for a Golden Globe, I am with you. Disabled people are needed in the industry now more than ever to help change the narrative we're all so sick of. #endableism 💔

— Ruth Madeley (@ruth_madeley) February 3, 2021

Nepotism or ableism

Sia received a lot of criticism for placing the Dance Moms star as the lead in her film, but the singer expressed that Maddie Ziegler has always been a big part of her success so she should have an opportunity to be in her film.  

However many critics believed the eighteen year old and professional dancer Maddie Ziegler didn’t actually have what it took to be placed in the role of a “non-verbal woman on the autism spectrum” and provide the proper depth the character needed. 

According to The Guardian, the drama received a lot of hate on Twitter for casting Maddie Ziegler in the role instead of an actual autistic person. Even disability communities believed the role of Music should’ve been given to “the real deal”. 

Sia opened up to Australia’s The Sunday Project: “I realized it wasn’t ableism. . . I mean, it is ableism I guess as well, but it’s actually nepotism because I can’t do a project without her (Ziegler). I don’t want to. I wouldn’t make art if it didn’t include her.”

The “Elastic Heart” singer Sia confessed:“I realized there are some things I can’t protect her (Ziegler) from.”

Golden Globes

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced that Music is one of their top nominations for their 78th Golden Globe Awards. The category for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) which previously went for films like Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019) & Green Book (2018) have placed Sia’s film Music against films: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Hamilton, Palm Springs, and Netflix’s The Prom. 

Sia & Ziegler’s Music wasn’t the only Golden Globe nomination that spurred headlines. In fact, Kate Hudson was also nominated for her role as Zu in Music. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a critic called Music’s nominations “scarcely less of a baffling fiasco than Cats”. Yikes.

Other films nominated for a Golden Globe like Hillbilly Elegy have also caused confusion due to the film’s  twenty-six percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. And did we mention Meryl Streep was nominated for nothing! 🤯.

Though most people are upset about Music’s nomination, most people are in favor of the classical adaptation Hamilton winning the Best Picture for a Musical or Comedy. But only time will tell. 

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Do you think Music will win the Golden Globe? Let us know in the comments below.