Sia has apologised for her controversial new music video – which features Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf dancing with a 12-year-old girl.

The video for the single Elastic Heart has faced criticism because it shows the semi-naked Fury actor, 28, and youngster Maddie Ziegler, wearing a skin-coloured leotard, tussling during an interpretive-dance cage match.

Sia, whose full name is Sia Furler, has posted an apology on Twitter.

The Australian singer-songwriter, who revealed that the pair play different versions of herself, said she will unveil a “making of” video next week. Child dancer and actress Maddie, who was on reality series Dance Moms, previously appeared in the singer’s own Grammy-nominated Chandelier clip.

Some viewers have complained about the footage, with one upset fan saying the video “smacks of child molestation #pervert #unacceptable #childabuse…Explain please!”. Another wrote: “Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’ video is disgusting.”

But other fans stood up for Sia.