Ziegler - The Maddie Diaries: A Memoir

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I first laid eyes on Maddie during an episode of Dance Moms, which I had gotten sucked into somewhere along the way, and I remember seeing her and just thinking, That face. That face. There was something about her expressions that conveyed to me a real depth and wisdom and a feeling that I guess I could attune to. So when it came time to make a video for my song Chandelier I contacted [choreographer] Ryan Heffington and I said, I want to make this video with this little girl from this reality TV show. So I tweeted her and asked her if she would be in one of my videos, and we flew her out and she learned the entire dance in maybe an hour. The whole thing. It was absolutely incredible, and when my codirector Daniel [Askill] and I arrived on set to watch her map it out, we cried, we both cried because shes so special. So we did the video and we knew it was going to be important because we could all feel it on set. There was a great energy and everyone was completely amazed, the crew, everyone, they were just in awe, everyone was awed by this eleven-year-old and the punch that she packs. It became clear that she had a wisdom and maturity. She was so hypervigilant, reliable, responsible, a real combination of artist and pragmatist, which is something that I can relate to because I feel that way myself. So after that video I decided I never wanted to do anything without her. I felt a profound desire to protect her and to guide her through the entertainment industry because it was clear to me that she was going to be very successful and that its very easy to be exploited, or to take the wrong path in this business.

So we talked about what she wanted, because its a very overwhelming experience to become famous: In a sense, you lose your identity and you become what people believe you are, or they project onto you. I asked her what she loved doing the most and we ran down the list; she said she loved most of all dancing in front of people, and next she loved acting in films and videos, and after that it was modeling and TV shows. I believe that shes a channel, that she has an ability to get out of her own way and allow the source to come through her and speak through her. Whatever that source is Im not sure, but it really does feel like she just has that. Shes an artist. She can do it all. But at the same time, shes still just growing into this regular teenager, a kind, brilliant teenager. She doesnt whine, shes not rude, shes not snippy, shes not a mean girl. She is such a sweet person. Completely down-to-earth. And the more we traveled together the more I got to see that. On the plane or in the car shes always making goofy videos and has an excellent sense of humor, always playing pranks and just being herself. Her favorite food is sushi, her favorite fruit is blueberries, she really likes cake decorating and crafting, shes obsessed with makeup. Shes really fun to be around. You can see that in how she is with her friends and with her fans. Shes so nice to her fans and gives so much of herself.

At such a young age to have this profound of an impact on the world of dance, to have her contributions create a shift in commercial pop and the commercial dance landscape and to still be full of so much potential, its inspiring. She inspires me not just to be a better artist but to be a better person. It makes me proud for the future, for people who feel strange and quirky and full of art but arent sure how to express themselves, for young women everywhere. I cant wait to see where she takes it, to experience all the magic she lends to the universe.

Sia

November 17, 2016

P eople think they know everything about me from Dance Moms or my Sia videos and I guess I understand how they might feel that way. I mean, I was completely hooked on Gossip Girl, and I felt like I knew all the characters on that show personallywe were family. I cried when I watched the last episode on Netflix because I truly felt like I was a part of their lives and I didnt want it to be over! Then I was shockedI mean shocked when I saw Ed Westwick (aka Chuck Bass) presenting at the Peoples Choice Awards and he started speaking with a British accent. I looked over at my mom: What is going on? Why is he talking like Harry Potter? I couldnt wrap my head around the fact that he was someone other than his character, a real person who just happened to be from England. Who knew? Then, as I listened to him, I realized I loved him even more when he was being truly himself. Ive always thought British accents were cute...

So I get how people can make assumptions based on what they see or hear or readits easy to do that. Which is why I thought it was a really good idea to write a book. I may be only fourteen, but there are so many things I love and care about, and so many other sides of who I am. I want people to know the real methe silly stuff, the serious stuff, and everything in between. Im pretty sure youll be surprised at some of what you learn. For example...

Im an artist: I love to draw facesespecially eyesand paint. I just did a watercolor self-portrait. To be honest, it didnt really look like me, but I had fun trying. I did a painting for my roomits black and white and kind of abstract, with a flower dripping down the middle. I also did one for Kenzies room of lips and a nose, and I painted Olaf for my baby cousin. In fact, I drew all these doodles throughout the book!

I cannot leave my house without spraying on my favorite perfume. I love the sweet vanilla scent, and I spray on a lot. I spray it inside my arms, then on the back of my neck, and finally, I spray it in the air and walk through this cloud of perfume. My mom is always saying, Maddie, you dont need that much! but I insist. Maybe its because the dance studios are always so stinky that I feel the need to smell good!

I dont wear my hair in a perfect bun all the time. In reality, a messy topknot is my go-to style when Im not onstage. Its the easiest thing to do. I just scoop it and clip it up, without even looking in the mirror!

When I was three or four years old, I broke my arm just when I was supposed to start horseback riding, so I couldnt. Looking back, Im really glad that happenedeven though at the time I remember being upset. I might have been a horseback rider instead of a dancer! Things definitely happen for a reason, and I believe in fate.