Singer Sia walks from the stage after performing at the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) gala in New York June 17, 2014. U.S. President Barack Obama spoke after Sia performed. REUTERS/Kevi
Singer Sia walks from the stage after performing at the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) gala in New York June 17, 2014. U.S. President Barack Obama spoke after Sia performed. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Sia has apologised for her controversial new music video for “Elastic Heart,” wherein 28-year-old actor Shia LaBeouf and 12-year-old dancer Maddie Ziegler appear in a giant cage together. The video is accused of promoting paedophilia, which the Australian songstress has denied.

On Wednesday, the 39-year-old ARIA Music Awards winner released the second music video for her latest track, which she recorded for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” soundtrack and included in her sixth studio album “1000 Forms of Fear.” The song itself was critically acclaimed when it was released in October, but the new video has been met with controversy.

In the video, LaBeouf and Ziegler engaging in an interpretative dance inside a giant cage wearing skin-coloured leotard for Ziegler and skin-tight shorts for LaBeouf. The dance didn’t look romantic, with the two even appearing to be fighting or playing inside the cage. However, some people thought it was inappropriate. Some cry paedophilia online, saying it’s what the dance looks like with an adult and a child inside a cage and wearing almost nothing.

Sia has been forced to defend the music video, saying people just misinterpreted it. She apologised for those who felt the video was inappropriate, but explained that it wasn’t about paedophilia. She added that she chose LaBeouf and Ziergler because they are only actors she felt could play two sides of herself.

When a Twitter follower wondered if LaBeouf represented her father in the video, Sia said both LaBeouf and Ziegler play the same person, which is herself.

I anticipated some 'pedophelia!!!' Cries for this video. All I can say is Maddie and Shia are two of the only actors I felt could play

— sia (@Sia) January 8, 2015

These two warring 'sia' self states. — sia (@Sia) January 8, 2015

“I apologize to those who feel triggered by #ElasticHeart My intention was to create some emotional content, not to upset anybody,” she added.

Ziegler also appeared on Sia’s “Chandelier” music video, wherein she did a solo interpretative dance in the same outfit she wore for “Elastic Heart.”