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Crisp (band)

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Crisp (band), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 2025
Sia
Born
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler

(1975-12-18) December 18, 1975 (age 50)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Occupation(s)Vocalist, songwriter
Years activeMid-1990s–present
Known forSinging, songwriting for other artists, distinctive wigs and anonymity

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler (; born 18 December 1975) is an Australian vocalist and songwriter. Hailing from Adelaide, she launched her musical journey in the mid-1990s as part of the acid jazz group Crisp. Following the band's dissolution in 1997, she debuted her first studio album, OnlySee, in Australia. Subsequently, Sia relocated to London, where she lent her vocals to the British duo Zero 7 and released her second and third albums, Healing Is Difficult (2001) and Colour the Small One (2004).

In 2005, she moved to New York City, embarked on a US tour, and unveiled her fourth and fifth albums, Some People Have Real Problems (2008) and We Are Born (2010), both earning gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association. Uncomfortable with public attention, she shifted focus toward writing songs for other artists, crafting hits including "Titanium" (with David Guetta), "Diamonds" (performed by Rihanna), "Wild Ones" (featuring Flo Rida), and "Pretty Hurts" (for Beyoncé).

Her sixth studio effort, 1000 Forms of Fear, reached number one on the US Billboard 200, featuring the top-ten hit "Chandelier" alongside a distinctive trilogy of music videos co-directed by Sia starring dancer Maddie Ziegler. The seventh album, This Is Acting (2016), included the chart-topping single "Cheap Thrills" on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, she initiated the Nostalgic for the Present Tour, which combined elements of dance and performance art. Later projects encompass the holiday-themed album Everyday Is Christmas (2017), the collaborative project LSD (2019) with Diplo and Labrinth, and her tenth album, Reasonable Woman (2024).

Beyond music, Sia is a committed animal rights supporter and has composed numerous tracks for films. She made her directorial debut with the feature film Music (2021), which was accompanied by the soundtrack album Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture. Since releasing 1000 Forms of Fear, she has preserved her anonymity by wearing a wig that obscures her face during public appearances. Her achievements include ten ARIA Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, and nine nominations for Grammy Awards.

Early life and education

Born on 18 December 1975 in Adelaide, South Australia, Sia Kate Isobelle Furler is the daughter of guitarist Phil Colson and art lecturer Loene Furler. She is related to actor Kevin Colson, who is her uncle. At age 12, she stayed with family friend Colin Hay in New York City; attending the Grammy Awards there inspired her to pursue a career in music. Her early musical influences consisted of artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Hay himself. She completed her schooling at Adelaide High School.

Career

During the mid-1990s, Sia began performing as a vocalist with local acid jazz band Crisp, contributing to their album Word and the Deal (1996) as well as their EP Delirium (1997). After Crisp dissolved in 1997, she launched her debut solo album in Australia titled OnlySee, using her full name "Sia Furler". This release sold approximately 1,200 copies and was primarily produced and written by Jesse Flavell, with Sia co-authoring six songs.

1997–2006: Zero 7 Collaborations, Healing Is Difficult and Colour the Small One

Following the breakup of Crisp, Sia relocated to London where she provided backing vocals for the British group Jamiroquai. She also lent her voice to the English downtempo ensemble Zero 7, appearing on their first three records and joining them on tour. Particularly, she was featured on two songs from Zero 7's 2001 release Simple Things, including the single "Destiny", which reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. Her partnership with Zero 7 extended through their subsequent albums When It Falls (2004) and The Garden (2006).

In 2000, Sia secured a deal with Sony Music’s DancePool imprint and issued the single "Taken for Granted", which climbed to number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. Her sophomore solo album, Healing Is Difficult (2001), fused elements of vintage jazz and soul while exploring introspective themes. Due to dissatisfaction with inadequate promotion, she parted ways with Sony, dismissed her manager, and signed with Go! Beat Records under Universal Music Group. At the 2002 APRA Awards, Sia was honored with the Breakthrough Songwriter award.

Her third studio effort, Colour the Small One (2004), blended acoustic instrumentation with electronic sounds. This album yielded four singles, including "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Breathe Me", which charted in markets such as the UK, Denmark, and France. Unhappy with its limited exposure and mainstream impact, Sia moved to New York City in 2005. The placement of "Breathe Me" in the finale of HBO’s Six Feet Under significantly raised her profile in the United States, leading her manager David Enthoven to organize a nationwide tour to capitalize on this momentum.

2007–2010: Some People Have Real Problems and We Are Born

In 2007, Sia released a live album titled Lady Croissant, featuring eight live recordings from her 2006 Bowery Ballroom show alongside a new studio track called "Pictures". The following year, she amicably ended her collaboration with Zero 7, who replaced her with Eska Mtungwazi. On 8 January 2008, Sia unveiled her fourth studio album, Some People Have Real Problems, which peaked at number 41 in Australia and earned gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association. This album marked her first entry on the US Billboard 200, reaching number 26. Four singles emerged from this release, including "The Girl You Lost to Cocaine", which charted at number 11 in the Netherlands, number 12 in Spain, and number 8 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Another single was "Soon We'll Be Found".

In May 2009, Sia issued TV Is My Parent on DVD; this featured a live concert as well as behind-the-scenes footage. The DVD won Best Music DVD at the ARIA Music Awards that year, while she received a nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist Album for Some People Have Real Problems.

That same year, American artist Christina Aguilera enlisted Sia’s songwriting talents for ballads on her sixth studio album, Bionic, which included four tracks co-written by Sia. In 2010, Sia co-wrote "Bound to You" for the soundtrack of the film Burlesque, starring Aguilera and Cher; this song earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. In May 2011, Sia served as an advisor to Aguilera during the first season of the US edition of The Voice.

June 2010 saw the release of Sia’s fifth studio album, We Are Born, which reached number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and achieved gold status. The lead singles included "You've Changed" (peaking at number 31 in Australia) and "Clap Your Hands", which attained positions of number 17 in Australia, number 10 in the Netherlands, and number 27 in Switzerland. At the ARIA Music Awards of that year, We Are Born secured awards for Best Independent Release and Best Pop Release. Additionally, "Clap Your Hands" was nominated for Song of the Year at the APRA Music Awards in 2011.

To support We Are Born, Sia embarked on two tours: the We Meaning You Tour across North America and Europe during April–May 2010, followed by the We Are Born Tour with dates in Australia (February 2011) and North America (July–August 2011).

2010–2013: Establishing a Songwriting Path and Gaining Widespread Acclaim

Following the acclaim of We Are Born, Sia found the spotlight increasingly overwhelming, prompting her to seek solitude and reduce her promotional engagements. She adopted the use of a mask during performances and battled substance abuse issues, at one point contemplating suicide. Transitioning from her previous manager Enthoven, she enlisted Jonathan Daniel, who motivated her to focus on writing songs for other performers.

Sia stepped back from her career as a recording artist to dedicate herself to songwriting. The track "Titanium" was originally penned for Alicia Keys but ultimately handed over to David Guetta, who released it featuring Sia's demo vocals in 2011. The song achieved top ten chart positions across the United States, Australia, and Europe. Despite its commercial success, Sia felt conflicted as she had envisioned a role primarily behind the scenes rather than as a vocalist.

Between 2011 and 2013, Sia co-authored hit singles for artists including Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Flo Rida, and Rihanna. Her work on Flo Rida’s "Wild Ones" reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and ranked among the best-selling singles worldwide in 2012. In March 2012, she issued a compilation album titled Best Of... exclusively in Australia.

2013–2014: Major Success with 1000 Forms of Fear

In October 2013, Sia unveiled "Elastic Heart," featuring contributions from the Weeknd and Diplo, as part of the soundtrack for the American film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). She took on the role of executive producer for Brooke Candy’s debut EP Opulence, released in May 2014, co-writing three tracks. July 2014 saw the release of her sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear, again collaborating with Greg Kurstin. The album debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales totaling 52,000 copies and earned a gold certification from the RIAA by October 2015 for moving 500,000 equivalent units domestically. It also secured number one in Australia and entered the top ten across various European countries. The British Phonographic Industry awarded it silver status while the Australian Recording Industry Association certified it gold. By early 2016, global sales had reached one million copies.

The lead single "Chandelier," launched in March 2014, marked Sia’s first top ten entry as a lead artist on the US Billboard Hot 100 by peaking at number eight; it also achieved top ten rankings in Australia and Europe. By January 2015, US sales surpassed two million copies. At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015, "Chandelier" earned Sia four nominations: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video.

To preserve her anonymity during performances related to 1000 Forms of Fear, Sia concealed her face behind large platinum blonde wigs or performed with her back turned to audiences. Maddie Ziegler frequently served as her visual stand-in in music videos and live shows, donning bobbed blonde wigs that mirrored Sia’s signature look. The music videos for "Chandelier," "Elastic Heart," and "Big Girls Cry," co-directed by Sia alongside Daniel Askill and choreographed by Ryan Heffington, have collectively garnered over four billion views on Vevo. Billboard ranked the "Chandelier" video as the tenth greatest music video of the decade.

The "Elastic Heart" video attracted some controversy due to interpretations of inappropriate themes linked to the dancers’ ages; Sia clarified that it represented internal conflict and expressed regret if viewers were disturbed. Critics have lauded her partnerships with Heffington for raising artistic standards in pop choreography.

In 2014, Sia contributed to the soundtrack for the film version of Broadway’s Annie, co-writing three original songs with Greg Kurstin alongside reimagined existing numbers. Together with Kurstin and director Will Gluck, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for "Opportunity".

2015–2019: This Is Acting and Everyday Is Christmas

In February 2015, Sia revealed that she had finished her album This Is Acting, the successor to 1000 Forms of Fear, once again working alongside producer Greg Kurstin. Although she initially planned to focus solely on writing for other artists after ending her record contract, the strong performance of her previous album inspired her to continue releasing material under her own name. Along with the digital deluxe edition of 1000 Forms of Fear, she introduced a mobile game titled Bob Job. The song "Alive" from This Is Acting was co-written by Adele and was originally intended for Adele’s album 25.

Later that year, in November 2015, Sia teamed up with composer J. Ralph for the environmental documentary Racing Extinction, co-writing and performing the track "One Candle". She also released other songs including "Bird Set Free" and "One Million Bullets". The single "Cheap Thrills", featuring Sean Paul, reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was supported by two music videos—one showcasing Maddie Ziegler and dancers, and another styled as a 1950s teen dance party—which have collectively garnered over 1.7 billion views.

Sia’s live performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2016 went viral and was widely praised as one of the event’s standout moments. This marked her first full concert since 2011. A devoted fan of the reality show Survivor, she made an unexpected appearance during the live reunion episode of Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, donating $100,000 split between a contestant and an animal welfare organization, and continued to award prizes to favorite contestants in subsequent seasons.

In June 2016, Sia appeared at Red Rocks Amphitheatre accompanied by Ziegler. Between May and August, she performed at various festivals across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, including stops in Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Russia, Lebanon, and Israel. September 2016 saw the release of "The Greatest" featuring Kendrick Lamar, along with a video starring Ziegler. The duo also performed together at Apple’s fall event, attracting significant media coverage. Her YouTube channel boasts over 24 million subscribers and more than 12 billion total views.

From September to November 2016, Sia embarked on her Nostalgic for the Present Tour across North America with Ziegler. During these performances, Sia maintained her trademark face-covering wig while dancers executed choreography perfectly timed with pre-recorded visuals. Critics lauded the tour as an innovative and compelling fusion of performance art and interpretive dance. In 2017, she earned three Grammy nominations and contributed as co-writer and vocalist on Zayn Malik’s platinum-certified single "Dusk Till Dawn". In March that year, Sia performed at the Dubai World Cup accompanied by her dancers. The tour’s second phase later in 2017 marked her first stadium tour across Australasia.

In 2017, Sia shifted from RCA Records to Atlantic Records and released Everyday Is Christmas in November under Atlantic and her own Monkey Puzzle label. The album features entirely original songs co-written and co-produced with Kurstin. She showcased the single "Snowman" on the season 13 finale of The Voice as well as on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, with Ziegler performing accompanying choreography. "Snowman" has since become a contemporary holiday classic and ranks among the most-streamed Christmas tracks.

In 2018, Sia joined forces with English musician Labrinth and American producer Diplo to form the supergroup LSD. They released five singles—"Genius", "Audio", "Thunderclouds", "Mountains", and "No New Friends"—prior to their debut album Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present... LSD which arrived in April 2019. That same year, Sia lent her voice as narrator for the Australian animal rights documentary Dominion, which earned an Award of Excellence from the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards.

2020–present: Music and Reasonable Woman

In February 2021, Sia unveiled her ninth studio album, Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture, which was released concurrently with her film, Music. This album reached number 8 on the US Billboard soundtrack chart and climbed to number 12 on the ARIA charts.

Her tenth studio effort, Reasonable Woman, debuted on 3 May 2024. Associated Press journalist Mark Kennedy highlighted Sia's adaptability across tracks such as "I Forgive You" and "Towards the Sun," emphasizing collaborations with artists including Chaka Khan, Kylie Minogue ("Dance Alone"), Labrinth ("Incredible"), and Paris Hilton ("Fame Won't Love You"). Kennedy remarked that Sia "rarely shift[s] out of third gear" throughout the record. Furthermore, Sia served as executive producer for Paris Hilton's 2024 release, Infinite Icon.

A stage musical adaptation of the film Saturday Church, featuring a book by Damon Cardasis and James Ijames, with music and lyrics by Sia alongside additional compositions by Honey Dijon, is planned to premiere off-Broadway in late 2025.

Artistry and musical style

During the early phase of her career with the group Crisp, Sia performed acid jazz in both Australia and later London. Her debut solo single, "Taken for Granted," incorporated trip hop influences. While collaborating with Zero 7, she contributed vocals to downtempo tracks. With the releases of Colour the Small One (2004) and Some People Have Real Problems (2007), her sound evolved toward jazz and folktronica styles; notably, the track "Breathe Me" is recognized as an alternative rock power ballad. The album Some People Have Real Problems broadened her connections within indie pop circles. During this time, Sia cited Kings of Convenience, James Taylor, and Zero 7 as significant influences.

After departing from Zero 7 in 2009, Sia concentrated entirely on her solo work. The 2010 album We Are Born embraced pop genres such as synthpop and R&B, featuring more upbeat tempos. With 1000 Forms of Fear (2014), she cemented her position in pop music by merging electropop with elements of reggae and hip-hop. The 2016 album This Is Acting primarily consists of songs initially penned for other female pop artists but ultimately rejected; Sia described this process as a form of "play-acting." This record blends reggae and electropop influences while exploring introspective themes, underscoring her prowess as a mainstream pop songwriter.

Sia’s musical style is a fusion of pop, folk, and electronic music. Her vocal delivery is noted for its depth, playfulness, and strength. Her live performances in 2016 combined musical presentation with performance art through dance and theatrical components. Critics have praised her unique vocal timbre as distinctive within the pop genre, often addressing topics like depression and addiction. Her first holiday-themed project, Everyday Is Christmas (2017), provides a contemporary pop alternative to traditional Christmas music for listeners seeking fresh seasonal tunes. The 2021 album Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture expanded her pop repertoire further by incorporating electropop, reggae, R&B, and EDM styles. National Public Radio has acclaimed Sia as "the 21st century's most resilient songwriter."

Awards and Honors

Sia has accumulated a wide range of awards, including multiple ARIA Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, and nine nominations for the Grammy Award. In March 2021, a laneway in the Adelaide city centre was officially renamed Sia Furler Lane, featuring a mural that honors her 2011 performance in Adelaide. By October 2022, she had achieved 15 placements on the APRA billion streams list, the most by any artist to date.

Additional Endeavors

In 2014, Sia lent her voice to a fictional Lorde track featured in South Park. She performed a rendition of The Beatles' "Blackbird" for the Netflix series Beat Bugs (2016), voiced the character Songbird Serenade in the 2017 animated feature My Little Pony: The Movie, and contributed an original composition titled "Rainbow" to its soundtrack. Furthermore, she co-wrote the musical score for the 2018 film Vox Lux.

Sia took on multiple roles—writer, director, and composer—for the 2021 musical film Music, which starred Maddie Ziegler, Kate Hudson, and Leslie Odom Jr. Released in Australia and select US IMAX venues, the film faced negative critiques and controversy regarding its depiction of autism. In response to the backlash, Sia disclosed her own autism diagnosis. The movie earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 78th Golden Globe Awards, while Sia received the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director for her involvement.

Charitable Activities

Sia is noted for her impactful philanthropic contributions. In 2019, she anonymously covered shoppers’ expenses at Walmart and TJ Maxx stores in Palm Springs, California. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, she pledged $1 million to CORE Response and allocated proceeds from her single "Saved My Life" to support CORE and AmeriCares relief initiatives. That same year, she donated $100,000 through Nova FM DJs Fitzy & Wippa to assist Australians in need and an additional $100,000 to community bail funds aiding the Black Lives Matter movement.

Since 2016, Sia has financially backed favored contestants on the reality competition Survivor via the "Sia Award," amounting to $1 million by the conclusion of its 45th season.

Advocacy for Animals

A dedicated vegetarian and animal rights supporter, Sia has consistently championed animal welfare causes. In 2010, she participated in a campaign by PETA promoting spaying and neutering pets to reduce overpopulation. She performed "I'm in Here" at the Beagle Freedom Project Gala in 2013 and contributed "Free the Animal" to PETA’s cruelty-free fashion public service announcements in 2015. During her Nostalgic for the Present Tour in 2016, she collaborated with animal rescue groups to organize dog adoption events at her concerts. In 2017, she worked alongside the ASPCA on a PSA featuring her song "Puppies Are Forever," encouraging pet adoption. Additionally, Sia co-narrated the 2018 documentary on animal rights titled Dominion.

Relationships and Family Background

Following Crisp’s breakup in 1997, Sia relocated to London intending to join her boyfriend Dan Pontifex. Tragically, during her journey, she learned that Pontifex had been struck by a vehicle and later died in hospital. She returned to Australia but was later invited back to London by one of Pontifex’s former roommates. Her 2001 album Healing Is Difficult reflects this challenging time marked by grief and substance dependency.

Sia married documentary filmmaker Erik Anders Lang in Palm Springs, California, in August 2014; their marriage ended in divorce two years later. In a 2014 interview on The Howard Stern Show, she identified as a feminist and mentioned a higher power she refers to as "Whatever Dude," which inspired Rihanna’s hit "Diamonds." One of her hand tattoos also bears this phrase. Additionally, Sia is related to Australian Christian rock artist Peter Furler.

In 2019, Sia adopted two Black American boys who were aging out of foster care. By 2020, she became a grandmother after one son fathered twins. She married Dan Bernad in December 2022; their wedding took place in Portofino, Italy, in May 2023. The couple welcomed their child on March 27, 2024. In March 2025, Sia separated from Bernad and initiated divorce proceedings; custody disputes are currently ongoing.

Sexuality

In 2008, Sia openly addressed her sexual orientation and confirmed her relationship with JD Samson, which ended in 2011. By 2009, she characterized her sexuality as fluid, mentioning that she has been involved with partners of different genders. In 2013, Sia publicly identified as queer via Twitter.

Health

Sia has encountered serious health difficulties, including clinical depression and dependencies on pain medication and alcohol. In 2010, she composed a suicide note with the intention of overdosing; however, a phone call from a friend inadvertently prevented her death. Subsequently, she joined Alcoholics Anonymous and withdrew from several promotional activities due to severe fatigue and panic attacks. She also revealed having Graves' disease, which improved after undergoing thyroid suppression treatment and resting.

In 2019, Sia disclosed that she suffers from Ehlers–Danlos syndrome as well as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), stemming from childhood trauma that included sexual abuse at age nine. Following criticism of her 2021 film Music, she experienced a relapse, suicidal thoughts, and sought rehabilitation once again.

Discography

Tours

Filmography

Sia has contributed tracks to the following movie soundtracks:

Film appearances

Year Title Character Details
2004 Piccadilly Jim New York Bar Singer Brief appearance
2014 Annie Volunteer at Animal Care & Control Brief appearance
2017 My Little Pony: The Movie Songbird Serenade Voice role
2018 Peter Rabbit Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Voice role
Dominion Narrator Documentary narration
Charming Half-Oracle Voice role
2021 Music Popstar Without Borders Served as writer, director, and producer
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Voice role

Television appearances

Year Title Character Details
1997 Home and Away Herself Guest appearance
2014 South Park Lorde (singing voice) Season 18, Episode 3: "The Cissy"
2015 Transparent Puppet character Season 2, Episode 9: "Man on the Land"
2018 Nobodies Herself Season 2, Episode 9: "Rob in the Hood"
2019 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? Herself Season 1, Episode 11: "Now You Sia, Now You Don't!"
2021 Waffles + Mochi Tomato (singing voice) Season 1, Episode 1: "Tomato"

See also

External links

Related profiles

HHannah GadsbyJJessica RoweBBen Abraham (musician)TTina Arena
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