Sia has taken the pop music world by storm yet again with her newest single, "Cheap Thrills." Like "Chandelier" and "Big Girls Cry," the singer has also brought along her mini-me, "Dance Moms" star Maddie Ziegler.
Performance enthusiasts will know her from the show "Dance Moms," and soon, her role as the youngest judge ever on "So You Think You Can Dance."
The music video for "Cheap Thrills" features Ziegler in her signature nude leotard and bob-cut wig with two male dancers and Sia inconspicuously hidden in the back corner singing vocals. In a frilly and bubblegum-pop world where most music videos seem to follow similar plot lines while repeating the same old cheesy love lyrics, Sia's music brings a different conversation to the table, while still inserting her own personality and flair into the music video. Sia often refers to Ziegler as her "mini-me," and she and Ziegler even dress in similar clothing when spotted at public appearances or live performances. Therefore, whenever Ziegler appears in a Sia music video, by extension, Sia is in the video herself. And it's not like Ziegler doesn't benefit either: starring in Sia's music videos provides her great exposure to a fan base that is unfamiliar with her celebrity status in the dance world.
As the principal performer, Ziegler creates an imaginative story through interpretive dance, bringing an unfamiliar art form to the pop scene. Sia's videos are haunting and sometimes controversial, yet captivating and thought-provoking, and "Cheap Thrills" is no different. However, "Cheap Thrills" serves as a departure from Sia's previous singles, as the other songs served as an allegory of dynamic internal struggles and overcoming them through powerhouse choruses. Instead, "Cheap Thrills" is reminiscent of Rihanna and Icona Pop vibes, with the beats of the chorus sounding more like a song that anyone can dance to, rather than just interpretive dance.
While frequent pop collaborations easily get boring and overdone, Sia and Ziegler's is one that still continues to bring something new to the table, even as Sia moves towards a mainstream pop genre. Perhaps in the future Sia and Ziegler's relationship may become tiring, but for now their collaborations provide a fresh outlook on the power of pop music.
Reach Vanessa Le here.
Annenberg Media