Sia reveals she once stopped protégé Maddie Ziegler from getting on a plane with Harvey Weinstein

Sia has opened up about her relationship with protégé Maddie Ziegler.

In a new interview with the Zach Sang Show, the Aussie singer said she's extremely protective of the 17-year-old, and once even stopped her from getting onto a plane with convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein. 

"I kept her off a plane that Harvey Weinstein tried to get her on," recalled the 44-year-old. "That was really disgusting. When he invited her, that's when I called, I told [her mum] Melissa, I had to. I just said, 'Please don't, do not do that, do not do that, do not do that.' 

"I know there's times where my insight has really made a difference, like kept her safe."

Earlier his year, the disgraced Hollywood producer was found guilty of a criminal sex act in the first degree and rape in the third degree. He is currently serving 23 years behind bars.

Long before Sia adopted her two sons last year, she's been a mother figure to Ziegler, who first began working with the singer when she was just 11.

The pair have continued to work together over the years and that's the way Sia likes it, as she can keep a protective eye on the young star.

READ MORE: Aussie singer Sia, 44, reveals she's now a grandmother after adopted son welcomes two babies

"So I thought, how's a good way I can keep her safe is just keep making projects for her, and therefore most of the time we're working together," she said.

"I mean, as soon as I met Maddie I felt this extreme desire to protect her, and I think that it was part of my own healing, and I felt this extreme compulsion to protect her."

The pair have just completed their latest project together, a film titled Music, which is written and directed by Sia and based on a short story the singer wrote in 2007.

Ziegler stars in the upcoming movie, alongside Kate Hudson and Broadway star Leslie Odom Jr. The film is about a newly sober woman, played by Hudson, who tries to start over when she discovers she's become the legal guardian of her half-sister, Music (Ziegler), a girl on the autism spectrum. 

"I just try and help guide," Sia said of helping Ziegler's with her career choices. "I can be a pain in the butt. I think her manager thinks I'm a real pain in the butt, I'm sure."