Maddie Ziegler's Controversial Role In Sia Music Video Slammed By 'Dance Moms' Co-Star

It appears not everyone is a fan of Sia's latest music video “Elastic Heart.” Following the recent debut of the contemporary piece, which stars "Dance Moms" lead Maddie Ziegler, one of the 12-year-old's co-stars is speaking out against the project, labeling it as pedophilia adjecent.

According to a report from TMZ, “Dance Moms” recurring guest star, coach Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, 55, called the video—which features Maddie dancing alongside 28 year old “Transformers” star Shia LaBeouf-- “vile.” “I nearly threw up,” Nesbitt-Stein is quoted as saying.

Nesbitt-Stein, the owner of Candy Apples Dance Center in Canton, Ohio, also took a jab at Maddie’s mother and fellow Lifetime star Melissa Gisoni. “I am flabbergasted Melissa would go to the levels she is going to get her daughter famous,” Nesbitt-Stein said.

Apparently, the "Dance Moms" coach isn’t the only one offended by Sia’s latest masterpiece. On Wednesday, the Australian songstress apologized to fans who were offended by the video, but denied that the piece was designed to be inappropriate. “I anticipated some ‘pedophilia!!!’ cries for this video,” Sia said. “All I can say is Maddie and Shia are two of the only actors I felt could play these two warring ‘Sia’ self states.”

The “Elastic Heart” video --currently at 15 million views on YouTube-- showcases Maddie wearing the same tan leotard and platinum blonde wig made famous following her appearance in the 2014 Sia music video, “Chandelier.” Shia stars opposite the young reality star wearing a pair of tan shorts. Throughout the video, the pair engage in an interpretive dance battle inside of a giant metal cage. After “biting” Shia’s hand, Maddie ultimately escapes.

In response to the controversy surrounding the music video, Maddie's "Dance Moms" coach, Abby Lee Miller, spoke out in favor of her student's work to TMZ. Abby said that the public’s comments about the controversial project are “icing on the cake.” She also claimed that the video, rumored to be about Sia’s relationship with her father, portrays Maddie and Shia as "werewolves." As for Nesbitt-Stein’s comments, she added this dig: “Oh, I don’t think Sia has her phone number.”

Abby may have won this battle, but she wasn’t won the war. According to Lifetime, the ALDC coach will have to go up against her enemies in next week’s episode of the hit Lifetime reality series. "Abby’s enemies are out to get her, including her rival Jeanette [Cota], who is out for revenge, “ reads the network’s synopsis for Season 5, episode 2.

“Dance Moms” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on Lifetime.