Sia apologises for Shia LaBeouf 'Elastic Heart' video
The video for the single Elastic Heart has faced criticism because it shows the semi-naked Fury actor, 28, and youngster Maddie Ziegler, wearing a skin-coloured leotard, tussling during an interpretive-dance cage match.
Sia, whose full name is Sia Furler, tweeted: "I apologize to those who feel triggered by #ElasticHeart My intention was to create some emotional content, not to upset anybody.
"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 these two warring 'sia' self states."
The Australian singer-songwriter, who revealed that the pair play different versions of herself, said she will unveil a "making of" video next week. Child dancer and actress Maddie, who was on reality series Dance Moms, previously appeared in the singer's own Grammy-nominated Chandelier clip.
Some viewers have complained about the footage, with one user named Jason Moore saying: " Sia has managed to make Shia LaBeouf look like a pedo in the elastic heart video. Not cool."
One upset fan said the video "smacks of child molestation #pervert #unacceptable #childabuse...Explain please!", while another wrote: "Sia's 'Elastic Heart' video is disgusting."
But other fans stood up for Sia, with one writing: " This video seems beautiful and not remotely sexual to me."
Another tweeted: " Some idiots accusing Sia's elastic heart video, starring Shia and Maddie, of pedophilia; the video is nothing short of a masterpiece."