Sia

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, born on December 18, 1975, in Adelaide, South Australia, is one of the most prolific and successful songwriters of the 21st century. She began her career as a singer in the acid jazz band Crisp in the mid-1990s before embarking on a solo career. After releasing several albums in Australia and the UK that earned critical acclaim but modest commercial success, Sia transitioned into writing songs for other artists, a move that would prove enormously lucrative.

As a songwriter for hire, Sia penned massive hits for some of the biggest names in pop music. She co-wrote Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” which topped charts worldwide, as well as “Cheap Thrills” for herself, Beyonce’s “Pretty Hurts,” David Guetta’s “Titanium” (on which she also sang), and Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones.” Her ability to craft emotionally powerful pop songs with memorable hooks made her one of the most sought-after writers in the industry. She has writing credits on songs that have collectively sold hundreds of millions of copies.

Sia’s own solo breakthrough came with the album “1000 Forms of Fear” (2014), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The lead single “Chandelier” became a global phenomenon, with its music video featuring young dancer Maddie Ziegler accumulating billions of views on YouTube. She followed up with “This Is Acting” (2016), which included the hit “Cheap Thrills,” a number-one single in the United States. Her artistic decision to hide her face during performances and public appearances, often wearing oversized wigs, became a signature element of her brand.

Beyond music, Sia has ventured into filmmaking, directing the movie “Music” (2021), though the project received mixed reviews and controversy. She has been open about her struggles with mental health, addiction, and chronic pain, using her platform to raise awareness about these issues. Sia adopted two teenage sons in 2019, and has been candid about her journey with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Her songwriting royalties from an extensive catalog of hits for herself and other artists continue to generate significant annual income.