A mystery woman who covered the bill for several holiday shoppers at a Walmart in California was, in fact, the clandestine pop-star Sia.
Arriving at the Palm Springs, California, store on Thursday, the Australian singer, whose full name is Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, told customers her name was simply “Ci Ci,” and claimed she was there to pay her good fortune forward after winning the lottery, according to one post on Twitter.
Footage of Sia at the department store was captured and shared on social media. During one 15-second clip, the 43-year-old songstress is shown hugging and talking with several shoppers while “disguised” in plainclothes.
On stage and screen, Sia usually sports a black and white wig that obscures most of her face, which may be why she was able to fly under the radar among fellow pre-Black Friday shoppers — at least until one fan finally realized her true identity.
A woman who claims to be one of the pop star’s beneficiaries posted on Twitter, “So @Sia paid for my groceries today thank you so much!! The heart and beautiful soul you have for paying for everyone!! I’m sorry for telling everyone once I realized who you were !! But this kindness must be acknowledged!!!”
The same lucky customer also shared a 45-second video captured by someone else there Thanksgiving day, which has been viewed 1.2 million times already. It shows Sia holding a bouquet of flowers apparently given to her by yet another grateful customer. “Who’s next?” says the generous celeb as she moves with credit card in hand over to another register.
Most on social media praised the pop star for her selflessness, and was called “the kindest person in all music industry” and an “an angel.” A few, however, were cynical of her motives, insinuating that she may have wanted to be spotted.
Tweeted one skeptic, “When done without recognition it’s beautiful thing, with national news recognition it’s called publicity…..who even cares.”
Meanwhile, another fan pointed out that also this week an anonymous donation of $1 million was made to an advocacy group for those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disorder shared by Sia as well as Lena Dunham and actress Jameela Jamil — all three of whom have spoken publicly about their illness.
“Y’all the Ehlers Danlos Society got an anonymous donation of one million dollars!!!,” the tweet read. “Lowkey wondering if it was Sia.”
The Post has reached out to a representative for Sia, and will issue an update to the story should they respond.