What you need to know
Thea didn’t want the custody battle to become too public.
The “Chandelier” singer’s estranged husband Dan Bernado (she filed for divorce in March) was denied sole custody of their son, Somersault, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, after he filed for an emergency order earlier this week. Now, a source tells PEOPLE that she is “shocked” that this situation has come to light for everyone to see.
“She has always kept her private life private,” said a source close to Shia, who often covers her face in public. “She is heartbroken that her ongoing divorce and custody battle has become public. She is devastated that something so private has become a headline. She is incredibly protective of her family and this attention has been extremely distressing for her.”
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The source added that Sia “has been controversial in the past,” referring to the backlash she received for her music video for “Elastic Heart,” which featured Shia LaBeouf dancing with a then-underage Maddie Ziegler wearing only beige underwear. But sources say Sia has “never done anything with children.”
“She is completely focused on her children right now. She is proud of her sobriety and the stability she has created, and wants to protect them. She doesn’t want that to be overshadowed by court filings,” Sia’s source continued, claiming in an Oct. 28 court filing after Barnado claimed otherwise: “She has been completely sober for over six months and has been working on my program.”
“Although she has had a very public career, she has been able to remain private in a way that most artists cannot,” says a source. “This has been extremely difficult, but she remains focused on her children and her recovery.”
A source said Sia has “lived in Los Angeles for a long time and has a very close circle of celebrity friends who love her. They’re all rallying around her. This isn’t a Hollywood story, they’re real friends who just want to make sure she’s okay.”
A representative for Sia did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Thea/Instagram
The court’s decision to deny Barnado’s request for custody of 19-month-old Somersault was backed by a judge’s ruling that there was insufficient evidence to constitute an emergency order.
Thea (who adopted two 18-year-old boys in 2019) and Bernad will now operate under their previous custody arrangement. The deal gives the “Titanium” artist primary custody of Somersault and allows for limited and supervised visitation with Barnardo.
