It challenges the notion that a performer's value is tied to their physical attractiveness. Sia believes that the music should stand on its own merit, separate from the identity of the singer.
The Tradition of Using Masks and Costumes as a Performance Shield and Identity Barrier
This allows the audience to connect with the emotion of the performance rather than being distracted by the specific identity of the performer. This barrier is particularly important for protecting her mental health, as she has been open about her struggles with bipolar disorder and the anxiety that fame can exacerbate.
The shift became pronounced around the time of her 2014 album *1000 Forms of Fear*, where the video for "Chandelier" featuring dancer Maddie Ziegler brought her music to a massive global audience. The character she portrays—often a dramatic, shadowy figure—becomes a vessel for the music, creating a powerful visual that complements the intense themes in her lyrics.
The Tradition of Performance Shield and Face Obscurity in Modern Music
This transition was rooted in a need to protect her personal life from the invasive glare of fame, allowing her to focus solely on the work she was producing. This aligns with a long tradition of performers who use masks or costumes to embody a character, suggesting that the music is the true identity, not the person behind it.
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