Sweden-based entertainment and music investment company Pophouse Entertainment, co-founded by ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus, purchased 50% of the publishing and master music rights of Australian singer-songwriter Sia for $180 million.
According to the announcement, Pophouse will continue to manage Sia’s work while also supporting her in developing new creative ventures.
The figure was reported by TMZ as Pophouse announced the deal, noting that the deal was complicated by the singer-songwriter’s recent divorce from Dan Bernad. Citing legal documents, TMZ reported that Sia will receive $165 million for songs she wrote before marrying Bernad; This includes hits like “Chandelier,” “Titanium” and “Cheap Thrills.” Sia waived any claims in exchange for a $1 million payment. However, the remaining $15 million from the songs he wrote during their marriage will be kept in escrow until the couple reaches an agreement. The couple was married for less than three years before Sia filed for divorce in March 2025.
Sia rose to international fame in 2004 with her song “Breathe”, featured in the final episode of the popular HBO series “Six Feet Under”. It earned nine Grammy nominations and included hits such as “Unstoppable,” “Chandelier,” “Elastic Heart,” “Cheap Thrills” and the 2018 hit “Thunderclouds” featuring Diplo and Labrinth as the band LSD; he also co-wrote hit songs for Rihanna (“Diamonds”) and Beyonce (“Pretty Hurts”).
Sia said: “I’m really excited to work with Pophouse. These songs mean so much to me, and I love that they really understand that and want to engage with them. I’ve been making music for so long, and it’s exciting to think about all the new and different ways these songs can live and find people. I really can’t wait to see what we can dream up together.”
Jessica Koravos, CEO of Pophouse, said: “Sia is an artist whose extraordinary catalog and unique creative identity provide extraordinary opportunities to celebrate and enhance her extraordinary work. This partnership will further empower Sia with strategic support and creative resources to continue pursuing her artistic ambitions while maintaining and expanding her impact. It is a privilege to partner with Sia, and we look forward to supporting her continued artistic evolution and ability to inspire audiences around the world.”
Pophouse Fund Partner Shahriar Shokofan said: “Few artists have shaped modern pop as profoundly as Sia, whose songwriting and unmistakable voice have defined some of the most iconic records of the last few decades. Sia’s ability to balance artistic integrity with mass appeal truly distinguishes her as an unstoppable force. We are delighted to partner with her at this point in her career, with a shared passion to support the continued growth of her catalog and unlock new audiences around the world.”
Pophouse’s investment in the Sia catalog is made through Pophouse Fund I, the firm’s first fund, which closes in March 2025 and has a hard cap of €1 billion. In addition, over €200 million of capital was secured through dedicated co-investment vehicles, bringing the total funding total to over €1.2 billion.
Pophouse also holds catalogs from Iron Maiden, Tina Turner, Kiss, Cyndi Lauper, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia. He is also one of the major investors in projects such as Avicii Experience, ABBA the Museum, “Mamma Mia! the Party” and ABBA “Voyage”.