Sia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sia
Sia in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Sia Kate Isobelle Furler
Born	(1975-12-18) 18 December 1975 (age 49) Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Genres	Pop electronica
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter director
Labels	Flavoured DancePool Long Lost Brother Astralwerks Go! Beat Monkey Puzzle Hear Jive Inertia RCA Atlantic
Signature

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler (pronounced SEE-uh; born December 18, 1975) is an Australian singer and songwriter. She grew up in Adelaide, Australia. Sia began her music journey in the mid-1990s. She was a singer in the jazz-inspired band Crisp.

After Crisp broke up in 1997, Sia released her first solo album, OnlySee, in Australia. She then moved to London and sang for the British group Zero 7. Sia released her second album, Healing Is Difficult, in 2001. Her third album, Colour the Small One, came out in 2004.

In 2005, Sia moved to New York City and toured the United States. Her albums Some People Have Real Problems (2008) and We Are Born (2010) became very popular. They were certified gold in Australia. Sia wanted more privacy as she became more famous. She took a break from performing live. Instead, she focused on writing songs for other artists. She wrote hit songs like "Titanium" for David Guetta. She also wrote "Diamonds" for Rihanna and "Wild Ones" for Flo Rida.

Sia became a huge solo artist in 2014. Her sixth album, 1000 Forms of Fear, reached number one in the U.S. It included the top-ten song "Chandelier". She also co-directed music videos for the album. These videos starred child dancer Maddie Ziegler. To protect her privacy, Sia often wears a wig that covers her face during performances.

Her seventh album, This Is Acting (2016), featured her first number one song on the Billboard Hot 100, "Cheap Thrills". In 2016, she started her Nostalgic for the Present Tour. This tour included dancing by Maddie Ziegler and other performers. Sia's eighth album, Everyday Is Christmas, was released in 2017. In 2019, Sia joined with Labrinth and Diplo to release an album. Sia has also written many songs for movies.

In 2021, she directed her first movie, Music. She also released an album connected to the film. Her tenth album, Reasonable Woman, was released in May 2024. Sia is a strong supporter of animal rights. She has won many awards, including ARIA Awards and an MTV Video Music Award. She has also been nominated for nine Grammy Awards.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler was born on December 18, 1975, in Adelaide, South Australia. Her father, Phil Colson, is a guitarist. Her mother, Loene Furler, teaches art. Her uncle is the actor Kevin Colson. When Sia was 12, she visited family friend Colin Hay in New York City. She watched the Grammy Awards from his limousine. This experience inspired her to become a musician.

As a child, Sia copied the singing styles of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Sting. She also looked up to Colin Hay. She went to Adelaide High School.

Music Career Highlights

In the mid-1990s, Sia started singing in a local jazz-inspired band called Crisp. She sang on their album Word and the Deal (1996) and their EP Delirium (1997).

In 1997, Crisp broke up. Sia then released her first solo album, OnlySee, in Australia. This album sold about 1,200 copies. For this album, she used her full name, "Sia Furler."

Early Solo Albums and Collaborations

Sia in concert in 2006

After Crisp disbanded in 1997, Sia moved to London. She sang background vocals for the British band Jamiroquai. She also sang for the English group Zero 7 on their first three albums. She toured with Zero 7 as well. On Zero 7's 2001 album Simple Things, Sia sang on two songs, including the single "Destiny". This song reached No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2004, she sang on "Somersault" for Zero 7's album When It Falls. In 2006, Sia worked with Zero 7 again for their album The Garden.

In 2000, Sia signed a record deal with DancePool. She released a single, "Taken for Granted", which reached No. 10 in the UK. In 2001, she released her second solo album, Healing Is Difficult. This album mixed jazz and soul music. Sia was not happy with how the album was promoted. She left Sony Music and signed with Go! Beat. At the APRA Awards of 2002, Sia won the Breakthrough Songwriter award.

In 2004, Sia released her third album, Colour the Small One. This album used both acoustic and electronic sounds. It had four singles, including "Breathe Me". "Breathe Me" became popular in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and France.

Sia moved to New York City in 2005. This was because Colour the Small One did not sell well. "Breathe Me" was used in the TV show Six Feet Under. This helped Sia become more known in the United States. Her manager then set up a tour across the country.

Growing Recognition and Songwriting Focus

Sia performing at South by Southwest in 2008

In 2007, Sia released a live album called Lady Croissant. It had eight live songs and one new studio song. A year later, she left Zero 7 on good terms. Sia released her fourth album, Some People Have Real Problems, on January 8, 2008. The album reached No. 41 in Australia and was certified gold. It also charted at No. 26 on the US Billboard 200. This was Sia's first album to chart in the United States. ..... This song reached No. 11 in the Netherlands and No. 12 in Spain.

In May 2009, Sia released TV Is My Parent on DVD. It included a live concert, music videos, and behind-the-scenes footage. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2009, Sia won Best Music DVD for TV Is My Parent.

In 2009, singer Christina Aguilera asked Sia to write songs for her album. Sia co-wrote four songs for Aguilera's album Bionic. In 2010, Sia also co-wrote "Bound to You" for the movie Burlesque. This song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 68th Golden Globe Awards. In May 2011, Sia was an adviser for Christina Aguilera on the TV show The Voice.

In June 2010, Sia released her fifth album, We Are Born. It reached No. 2 on the Australian charts and was certified gold. The album had three singles. The first single, "You've Changed", charted at No. 31 in Australia. The next single, "Clap Your Hands", reached No. 17 in Australia. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2010, We Are Born won Best Independent Release and Best Pop Release. Sia toured North America and Europe in 2010 to promote the album. She also toured Australia and North America in 2011.

Becoming a Top Songwriter

Sia performing in 2011

After the success of We Are Born, Sia wanted more privacy. She decided to focus on writing songs for other artists. She wrote "Titanium" for Alicia Keys. However, it was later given to David Guetta. He used Sia's original vocals and released it as a single in 2011. "Titanium" became a top-ten hit in the United States, Australia, and many European countries. Sia was surprised by its success as an artist.

From 2011 to 2013, Sia co-wrote songs for many famous singers. These included Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Flo Rida, and Rihanna. Her song "Wild Ones" with Flo Rida reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was one of the best-selling songs of 2012 worldwide. In March 2012, Sia released a greatest hits album, Best Of..., in Australia.

Breakthrough with 1000 Forms of Fear

In October 2013, Sia released "Elastic Heart". This song featured the Weeknd and Diplo. It was for the movie The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). In July 2014, Sia released her sixth album, 1000 Forms of Fear. She worked with producer Greg Kurstin again. The album debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200. By October 2015, it was certified gold in the United States. The album also reached No. 1 in Australia and the top ten in many European countries.

The first single from 1000 Forms of Fear was "Chandelier", released in March 2014. The song reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This was Sia's first time on that chart as the main artist. "Chandelier" was also a top-ten hit in Australia and Europe. By January 2015, the song had sold 2 million copies in the United States. At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards (2015), Sia received four nominations for "Chandelier".

For her performances of songs from 1000 Forms of Fear, Sia chose not to show her face. She would either face away from the audience or hide behind large blonde wigs. In the music videos for "Chandelier," "Elastic Heart," and "Big Girls Cry", child dancer Maddie Ziegler performed as Sia's stand-in. Maddie wore similar blonde wigs. Sia co-directed these videos. The three videos have been viewed over 4 billion times online. Sia explained that she hides her face to avoid the pressures of being a celebrity. She wants to keep some privacy.

In 2014, Sia also contributed to the soundtrack for the movie Annie. She and Greg Kurstin wrote three new songs for the film. They were nominated for Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards for "Opportunity".

New Albums and Tours

In February 2015, Sia announced her next album, This Is Acting. It was another collaboration with Greg Kurstin. Sia said she released 1000 Forms of Fear to finish her record deal. She had planned to only write for other artists. But the album's success made her want to continue making her own music. "Alive" from This Is Acting was co-written by Adele.

In November 2015, Sia released "One Candle" for the documentary Racing Extinction. She also released "Bird Set Free" and "One Million Bullets" from her album. The single "Cheap Thrills", featuring Sean Paul, reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Sia released two videos for the song. One featured Maddie Ziegler, and the other showed a 1950s-style dance party. This video has over 1.7 billion views.

Sia performing in 2016

In April 2016, Sia's performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival became very popular online. Critics called it one of the best performances in Coachella's history. This was her first full concert since 2011. Sia is a big fan of the TV show Survivor. In 2016, she surprised a contestant, Tai Trang, with $50,000. She also gave $50,000 to an animal charity of his choice. She often gives prizes to her favorite Survivor contestants.

In June 2016, Sia performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado with Maddie Ziegler. From May to August, Sia performed at many festivals and concerts in America and Europe. In September 2016, she released the single "The Greatest" with rapper Kendrick Lamar. A video featuring Maddie Ziegler was released the same day. Sia's YouTube videos have over 12 billion views. Her channel has more than 24 million subscribers.

Sia went on her Nostalgic for the Present Tour in North America from September to November 2016. Maddie Ziegler was part of the tour. Sia performed at the back of the stage with her wig covering her face. Her dancers performed choreography that matched videos on big screens. The tour was praised for being unique and artistic. Sia was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 2017. She also co-wrote and sang on the hit single "Dusk Till Dawn" by Zayn. Sia performed at the Dubai World Cup in March 2017. The second part of her tour was in Australia and New Zealand in late 2017.

In 2017, Sia moved to Atlantic Records. She released the album Everyday Is Christmas in November 2017. This album featured original Christmas songs. She performed the single "Snowman" on The Voice and The Ellen DeGeneres Show with Maddie Ziegler dancing. "Snowman" has become a popular modern Christmas song.

In 2018, Sia formed a music group with English musician Labrinth and American DJ Diplo. They released five singles before their album in April 2019. Also in 2018, Sia narrated the Australian animal rights documentary Dominion.

Recent Projects

Her ninth album, Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture, was released in February 2021. It was connected to her film, Music. The album reached number 8 on the US Billboard soundtrack chart.

Her tenth studio album, Reasonable Woman, was released on May 3, 2024. Critics noted Sia's ability to sing about different emotions. The album included collaborations with Chaka Khan, Kylie Minogue, Labrinth, and Paris Hilton. Sia also helped produce Paris Hilton's 2024 album, Infinite Icon.

A musical play based on the film Saturday Church is planned for late 2025. Sia wrote music and lyrics for it.

Musical Style and Voice

When Sia started with the band Crisp, she performed jazz-inspired music. With her first solo song, "Taken for Granted," she tried out trip hop music. When she joined Zero 7, she sang downtempo songs.

With her albums Colour the Small One (2004) and Some People Have Real Problems (2007), she explored jazz and folktronica. However, her hit song "Breathe Me" is described as alternative rock. Some People Have Real Problems helped her connect with indie pop music.

After leaving Zero 7 in 2009, Sia focused on her solo career. We Are Born (2010) included different pop styles, like synthpop and R&B. 1000 Forms of Fear (2014) continued her pop sound, with elements of electropop, reggae, and hip-hop. This Is Acting (2016) was mostly made of songs Sia wrote for other female pop artists. Sia described writing songs for others as "play-acting."

Sia's voice has been called "deep, playful, and powerful." In her live shows, Sia's music is part of a performance art experience. It includes dance and theatrical effects. Her songwriting often deals with themes like overcoming challenges. Everyday Is Christmas (2017) was Sia's first Christmas album. It gave classic holiday music a modern pop feel. National Public Radio called Sia "the 21st century's most resilient songwriter."

Awards and Recognition

Sia has received many awards. These include ARIA Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, and nine nominations for Grammy Awards.

In March 2021, a street in Adelaide city centre was renamed Sia Furler Lane. A mural called She Imagined Buttons was painted nearby. This was to celebrate Sia's 2011 performance in Adelaide. As of October 2022, Sia has 15 songs on the APRA billion streams list. This is the most of any artist.

Other Projects

In a 2014 episode of South Park called "The Cissy", Sia provided the singing voice for the fictional character Lorde. In 2016, Sia covered "Blackbird" by The Beatles for the Netflix show Beat Bugs. She voiced the pop star Songbird Serenade in the 2017 animated movie My Little Pony: The Movie. She also wrote an original song, "Rainbow", for the film's soundtrack. Sia wrote songs for the soundtrack of the 2018 musical film Vox Lux.

She wrote a screenplay for the 2021 musical film, Music. The movie starred Maddie Ziegler, Kate Hudson, and Leslie Odom Jr.. Sia also directed and produced the film. She wrote its soundtrack. The film was released in Australia in January 2021. It was also shown in some IMAX theaters in the US. The film received mixed reviews. Sia later shared that she was diagnosed with autism. The film was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 78th Golden Globe Awards. Sia won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director for Music.

Helping Others

Sia is known for her acts of kindness. Before Thanksgiving in 2019, Sia secretly paid for people's groceries and shopping at stores in Palm Springs, California. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Sia promised to donate $1 million to CORE Response. She also donated money from her song "Saved My Life" to relief efforts. In the same year, she donated $100,000 to Australians in need. She also gave $100,000 to community funds supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

Since 2016, Sia has given money to her favorite contestants on the TV show Survivor. This is known as the "Sia Award." By the end of the 45th season, she had given a total of $1 million to contestants.

Animal Activism

Sia is a vegetarian and loves animals. She has supported animal rights throughout her career. In 2010, she joined a PETA campaign. This campaign encouraged people to spay or neuter their pets to help with animal overpopulation. She performed her song "I'm in Here" at a Beagle Freedom Project Gala in 2013. In 2015, her song "Free the Animal" was used in PETA announcements supporting cruelty-free fashion.

During her Nostalgic for the Present Tour in 2016, Sia worked with animal rescue groups. They set up dog adoption fairs at each of her shows. In 2017, she released another public service announcement with the ASPCA. It used her song "Puppies Are Forever" to encourage pet adoption. Sia also helped narrate the 2018 animal rights documentary Dominion.

Personal Life

Relationships and Family

After her band Crisp broke up in 1997, Sia moved to London. Her boyfriend, Dan Pontifex, died in a car accident before she arrived. Her 2001 album Healing Is Difficult talks about dealing with his death.

Sia married documentary filmmaker Erik Anders Lang in August 2014. They divorced in 2016. In 2019, Sia adopted two boys who were leaving the foster care system. In 2020, she announced that she had become a grandmother. One of her sons had twins. In December 2022, she married Dan Bernad. They had a ceremony in Portofino, Italy, in May 2023. She gave birth to their child on March 27, 2024. In March 2025, she separated from Bernad and filed for divorce.

Sia is a cousin of Australian Christian rock musician Peter Furler.

Discography

• OnlySee (1997)
• Healing Is Difficult (2001)
• Colour the Small One (2004)
• Some People Have Real Problems (2008)
• We Are Born (2010)
• 1000 Forms of Fear (2014)
• This Is Acting (2016)
• Everyday Is Christmas (2017)
• Music (2021)
• Reasonable Woman (2024)

Tours

• We Meaning You Tour (2010–2011)
• We Are Born Tour (2011)
• Nostalgic for the Present Tour (2016–2017)

Filmography

Sia wrote or performed songs for the following film soundtracks:

Film Roles

Television Roles

Images for kids

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  Sia in concert in 2006

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  Sia performing at South by Southwest in 2008

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  Sia performing in 2011

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  Sia performing in 2016

See also

In Spanish: Sia para niños