Maddy Ziegler Channels The Three Stooges in New Sia Video
Sia’s 12-year-old cypher Maddie Ziegler appears yet again in one of the singer’s music videos, this time emoting heavily for “Big Girls Cry.” The song, off last year’s 1000 Forms of Fear, is anthemic and emotional, two sentiments that only sort of translate in Ziegler’s wide-eyed, frenzied performance. Unlike Sia’s past two videos (which have also featured the Dance Moms star), this one, directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, centers the camera squarely on Ziegler’s visage as she mimes face slaps, pulls at her eyes, and sucks her thumb. It’s a little Three Stooges at first, with Ziegler pawing and yanking at her expressive face, but turns creepy as two hands appear out of nowhere and begin to choke her.
Sia has been forthright about her social phobia since the release of 1000 Forms of Fear and has elected not to show her face throughout the album’s promotion, including during her performance at the Grammys. She’s called on everyone from Kristen Wiig to Lena Dunham to stand in for her publicly, always in a cropped blonde wig, but Ziegler has found a niche as Sia’s mini-me. Her last video, for “Elastic Heart,” featured a strangely compelling Shia LaBeouf dancing with Ziegler, but in this one the young dancer carries the video alone.
It’s compelling, certainly, as it is every time Ziegler dons the wig and skin-colored leotard (an easy Halloween costume, if you’re looking already). But her frenetic face-dancing – if you want to call it that – doesn’t necessarily match the aching tone of the song. Still, it’s slightly terrifying to watch a 12-year-old kid feign strangulation at unseen hands and Ziegler gets a lot of points for being so game for all of Sia’s antics. We’re equally nervous and excited to see what the musician will make Ziegler do next time.
Related: Sia and Her Mini-Me Are Hiding In Their Hair
Related: Sia Lands The Cover of ‘Interview’ Magazine, Still Doesn’t Show Her Face
