Sinead O’Connor – latest: Longtime friend Bob Geldof says singer was ‘full of a terrible loneliness’
Tributes to Irish singer Sinead O’Connor are continuing to pour in, in the wake of the Irish singer’s death aged 56.
Thousands of fans, fellow musicians and public figures have shared their love for O’Connor since her family confirmed the Dublin-born musician had died.
O’Connor’s longtime friend, singer Bob Geldof, paid tribute to the “Mandinka” singer over the weekend at Ireland’s Cavan Calling festival.
Addressing the crowd, Geldof recalled the nature of his final texts with O’Connor before her death.
“Many, many times Sinead was full of a terrible loneliness and a terrible despair,” he said. “She was a very good friend of mine. We were talking right up to a couple of weeks ago. Some of her texts were laden with desperation and despair and some were ecstatically happy. She was like that.”
O’Connor spoke about living with bipolar disorder during a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2007, explaining how she suffered from suicidal thoughts.
“I don’t think I was born with bipolar disorder – I believe it was created as a result of the violence I experienced,” she told Winfrey, referring to the abuse she’d experienced from her mother as a child.
Later, in 2013, O’Connor told fans that she’d been misdiagnosed and that she was instead suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Key points
Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus about being ‘pimped’ by music industry resurfaces
Sinead O’Connor’s death not being treated as suspicious, police say
Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about death of son days before she died
I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey, but he’s right on Sinéad O’Connor
Sunday 30 July 2023 23:00 , Annabel Nugent
“I don’t often agree with Morrissey, but I thought he put it well when he raged that ‘the cruel play-pen of fame gushes with praise’ for Sinéad O’Connor now she has died, but ‘hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you,’” writes Chas Newkey-Burden for The Independent.
Opinion: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey on Sinéad O’Connor
Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died
Monday 31 July 2023 00:00 , Annabel Nugent
Sinead O’Connor died 18 months after her son Shane, who was 17 when he died last year by suicide.
On 17 July, O’Connor shared a post on Twitter paying tribute to Shane, and expressing her ongoing grief over his loss.
She wrote: “#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022. Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him [sic].”
Bardo, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a state of existence between death and rebirth.
O’Connor shared her son Shane with Irish folk musician and producer Donal Lunny. Shane died in January 2022, after escaping a hospital where he was on suicide watch.
Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died
ITV, BBC, and Channel 5 are not planning to air tributes to late singer
Monday 31 July 2023 01:00 , Annabel Nugent
In the case of some high-profile celebrity deaths, broadcasters will scrap their schedules to assemble tributes to the star in question.
This was the case for David Bowie when the “Space Oddity” singer died in 2016. Likewise, when George Michael died from heart failure on Christmas Day in 2017, BBC Four dedicated a full night of programming to the Wham! star.
As confirmed by Variety, however, none of UK’s main broadcasters plan on airing remembrances of O’Connor anytime soon.
Sinead O’Connor’s prescience ‘was unbelievable’, broadcaster Dave Fanning says
Monday 31 July 2023 02:00 , Annabel Nugent
Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces
Monday 31 July 2023 03:00 , Annabel Nugent
Sinead O’Connor’s brutal rejection of Piers Morgan’s invitation to feature as a guest on ITV’s Good Morning Britain has resurfaced following her death aged 56.
Accompanying the post, the 58-year-old broadcaster included a photo of the two standing together in the ITV studio.
“Knew her for 35 years & we had some ferocious spats but also some great Guinness-fuelled make-ups. She was a unique character. Sad day,” the broadcaster, 58, tweeted.
To the delight of many O’Connor fans, however, one such spat has resurfaced across social media.
Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces as presenter pays tribute
Inside Sinead O’Connor and Madonna’s fraught history
Monday 31 July 2023 04:00 , Annabel Nugent
Sinead O’Connor was known to voice her strong opinions without apology, which occasionally led to clashes with other celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Joe Pesci, Prince, and Madonna.
In an interview with Spin magazine in 1991, O’Connor directly referenced Madonna and called her out for allegedly making unkind comments about her appearance while being a promoter of women’s rights.
“Madonna is probably the hugest role model for women in America,” O’Connor noted. “There’s a woman who people look up to as being a woman who campaigns for women’s rights. A woman who, in an abusive way toward me, said that I look like I had a run-in with a lawnmower and that I was about as sexy as a Venetian blind.
“Now there’s the woman that America looks up to as being a campaigner for women, slagging off another woman for not being sexy.”
Inside Sinead O’Connor and Madonna’s fraught history
No medical cause given for Sinead O’Connor’s death
Monday 31 July 2023 05:00 , Annabel Nugent
No medical cause was given in the death of Sinead O’Connor and an autopsy will be carried out, London Inner South Coroner’s Court said on Thursday (27 July).
The result of the autopsy may not be available for several weeks, according to a statement on the court website.
Sinead O’Connor is being remembered for her lifelong dedication to women’s rights
Monday 31 July 2023 06:00 , Annabel Nugent
As well as her musical talent, Sinead O’Connor is being remembered for her lifelong advocacy of women’s rights following her death at the age of 56.
Sinead O’Connor’s lifelong dedication to women’s rights
Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate Nitin Sawhney pays tribute to the late singer
Monday 31 July 2023 07:00 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate fondly recalled their time living together in the Nineties.
British musician, producer and composer Nitin Sawhney paid tribute to the singer after her death.
“Back in the 90s she came over to my tiny room in a shared flat in Tooting and we jammed together for ages,” Sawhney, who is an Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement award holder, wrote on Twitter.
“She was so kind to my flat mates including @MykolachiHello who she sweetly complimented on her red coat… She stayed in touch for a while afterwards and was always so supportive. I will miss her humility, her incredible voice and her honest, compassionate soul.”
Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album and reviewing tour dates before her death, say her managers
Monday 31 July 2023 08:00 , Annabel Nugent
Sinead O’Connor had been “completing her new album”, reviewing tour dates for next year and was also considering “opportunities” around a movie of her book, her management company has said.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album before her death, say her managers
Foo Fighters bring out Alanis Morissette for Sinead O’Connor tribute
Monday 31 July 2023 08:30 , Peony Hirwani
Over the weekend, Foo Fighters brought out Alanis Morissette during a set at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival to perform a cover of Sinead O’Connor’s 1987 single “Mandinka.”
“We’re singing this song for a reason tonight,” Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl said during the performance.
“Yes, for a beautiful woman with high intelligence and deep empathy, way ahead of her time, who is no longer with us,” Morissette added. “This is for her.”
O’Connor sang “Mandinka” during her first appearance on American television on Late Night With David Letterman in 1988.
Foo Fighters × Alanis Morissette🫶
Mandinka(Sinead O’Connorカバー)@foofighters @Alanis pic.twitter.com/SzjaV5Njkm— モッティ (@MottyForever69) July 30, 2023
Music cirtic Helen Brown on Sinead O’Connor
Monday 31 July 2023 09:00 , Annabel Nugent
“The voice was strangely soft, yet O’Connor reached deep into the awkward corners of every consonant like she was gouging at scabs,” writes music critic Helen Brown. “There was a scowl and a punch thrown as she ripped into the chorus.”
Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song
Sinead O’Connor's prescience 'was unbelievable', broadcaster Dave Fanning says
Monday 31 July 2023 09:30 , Peony Hirwani
WATCH: Sinead O’Connor’s stand-out moments
Monday 31 July 2023 10:00 , Annabel Nugent
The story of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince
Monday 31 July 2023 10:30 , Peony Hirwani
While many are paying homage to O’Connor’s expansive musical and political legacy, others are remembering the singer for her 1990 cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U”.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince
Sinead O’Connor fans gather to sing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U ‘in Dublin tribute
Monday 31 July 2023 11:00 , Peony Hirwani
Around 100 people joined together to sing “Nothing Compares 2 U” at the Dublin event on Sunday afternoon.
The lunchtime singalong in Barnardo Square, central Dublin, was organised by socialist feminist group Rosa.
Rosa activist and former Irish parliamentarian Ruth Coppinger paid tribute to the late singer.
“An exceptional and unique voice that could be both a whisper or a scream in one line, she captivated audiences,” Ms Coppinger told the event. “She could traverse all genres. A body of work spanning four decades.
“Sinead’s artistry and activism cannot be separated – they were essential to each other. Her artistic integrity and sense of justice came from her own experience of injustice.
Sinead O’Connor fans gather to sing Nothing Compares 2 U in Dublin tribute
What did Prince think of Sinead O’Connor’s cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’?
Monday 31 July 2023 11:30 , Peony Hirwani
Prince and Sinead O’Connor famously did not have a good relationship. The Irish singer made a number of allegations against the “Purple Rain” musician – read more about that here.
Regarding O’Connor’s cover of his song “Nothing Compares 2 U”, however, Prince praised the song in 1990 – despite famously not being a fan of people covering his work.
Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died
Monday 31 July 2023 12:00 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor died 18 months after her son Shane, who was 17 when he died last year by suicide.
On 17 July, O’Connor shared a post on Twitter paying tribute to Shane, and expressing her ongoing grief over his loss.
She wrote: “#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022. Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him [sic].”
Bardo, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a state of existence between death and rebirth.
O’Connor shared her son Shane with Irish folk musician and producer Donal Lunny. Shane died in January 2022, after escaping a hospital where he was on suicide watch.
Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died
Bob Geldof recalls last texts with Sinead O’Connor: ‘She was a very good friend of mine’
Monday 31 July 2023 12:30 , Peony Hirwani
Bob Geldof has shared some insight into the nature of his final messages with Sinead O’Connor, who died last week aged 56.
Read more:
Bob Geldof recalls last texts with Sinead O’Connor in weeks before her death
Watch: Sinead O'Connor's stand-out moments
Monday 31 July 2023 13:00 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album and reviewing tour dates before her death, say her managers
Monday 31 July 2023 13:30 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor had been “completing her new album”, reviewing tour dates for next year and was also considering “opportunities” around a movie of her book, her management company has said.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album before her death, say her managers
Sinead O’Connor gave a young woman with terminal cancer ‘the best week of her short life’
Monday 31 July 2023 14:00 , Peony Hirwani
In the days since Sinead O’Connor’s death, stories of her kindness have surfaced.
One such story comes from Philip Woolcock who recalled how O’Connor had called his 20-year-old daughter, Louise, out of the blue after learning that she had terminal cancer in 1991.
“Sinéad had heard of Louise’s illness from some source, probably the press, as we were raising funds for our local hospice,” Woolcock said. “My daughter was a great admirer of her and loved her music.”
O’Connor invited Louise to London and proceeded to give his daughter “the best week of her short life”, taking her out to dinners, for drinks and dancing.
“During all this time, Sinéad never sought any publicity for these acts of love and compassion,” Woolcock said. “Today my thoughts are with two remarkable women who, I have no doubt, will be somewhere still laughing, dancing and singing.”
I read this earlier today and it made me v cry...a very lovely story about Sinéad O'Connor and her kindness.... pic.twitter.com/wPPvR4Q25b
— Marianna P 🇺🇦 (@marianna_patane) July 30, 2023
Sinead O’Connor covers Nirvana’s ‘All Apologies’
Monday 31 July 2023 14:30 , Peony Hirwani
While it is her cover of Prince’s 1985 song “Nothing Compares 2 U” that is the most famous, Sinead O’Connor’s rendition of Nirvana’s grunge anthem “All Apologies” was also hugely popular.
Released just months after Cobain’s death, the song featuers O’Connor’s stunning, hushed vocals.
Sinead O'Connor covering Nirvana's "All Apologies"pic.twitter.com/OukyrbcSVJ
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) July 27, 2023
Voices: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey, but he’s right on Sinéad O’Connor
Monday 31 July 2023 15:00 , Peony Hirwani
“I don’t often agree with Morrissey, but I thought he put it well when he raged that ‘the cruel play-pen of fame gushes with praise’ for Sinéad O’Connor now she has died, but ‘hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you,’” writes Chas Newkey-Burden.
Opinion: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey on Sinéad O’Connor
Pink and Brandi Carlile perform beautiful tribute to Sinead O’Connor
Monday 31 July 2023 15:30 , Peony Hirwani
Pink and Brandi Carlile performed a beautiful tribute to the Irish singer during their Wednesday (26 July) night concert in Cincinnati, Ohio after news of her death broke.
The two singers belted a powerful rendition of O’Connor’s famous “Nothing Compares 2 U” track.
P!nk and Brandi Carlile with a beautiful tribute to Sinéad O’Connor in Cincinnati last night….🥹🙏
pic.twitter.com/2cOSpk9LaN— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) July 27, 2023
Read Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus
Monday 31 July 2023 16:00 , Peony Hirwani
After the release of her viral music video for her hit single “Wrecking Ball”, Cyrus (then 20 years old) told Rolling Stone magazine that she’d been inspired by the O’Connor’s accompanying visuals for “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990).
In response, O’Connor wrote to Cyrus “in the spirit of motherliness and with love” and told her that it was not “cool” to be “naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos”.
Sinead O’Connor’s open letter that issued a warning to Miley Cyrus
Food Fighters and Alanis Morisette pay special tribute to Sinead O’Connor
Monday 31 July 2023 16:30 , Inga Parkel
During the Foo Fighters concert at the Japan Fuji Rock Festival on Saturday (29 July), the rockers were joined by fellow singer Alanis Morisette.
Together they all performed a rendition of O’Connor’s 1987 single “Mandinka”.
“We’re singing this song for a reason tonight,” Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl announced.
"Yes, for a beautiful woman with high intelligence and deep empathy, way ahead of her time, who is no longer with us," Morissette continued. "This is for her."
Bob Geldof recalls last texts with Sinead O’Connor: ‘She was a very good friend of mine’
Monday 31 July 2023 17:00 , Inga Parkel
Bob Geldof has shared some insight into the nature of his final messages with Sinead O’Connor, who died last week aged 56.
After O’Connor’s 17-year-old son Shane died by suicide in January 2022, she occasionally shared her grief on social media. Days before she died, the Irish star published a heartfelt post about her son’s death.
Geldof had been a friend of O’Connor for several years. During his appearance at Cavan Calling festival in Ireland on the weekend, the singer and activist took a moment to remember O’Connor, and spoke of how she experienced moments of extreme sadness as recently as “a couple of weeks ago”.
Read more:
Bob Geldof recalls last texts with Sinead O’Connor: ‘She was a very good friend of mine’
Singer and activist remembered fellow Irish artist during his performance Cavan Calling festival over the weekend
What did Prince think of Sinead O’Connor’s cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’?
Monday 31 July 2023 17:30 , Inga Parkel
Prince and Sinead O’Connor famously did not have a good relationship. The Irish singer made a number of allegations against the “Purple Rain” musician – read more about that here.
Regarding O’Connor’s cover of his song “Nothing Compares 2 U”, however, Prince praised the song in 1990 – despite famously not being a fan of people covering his work.
The story of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince
Monday 31 July 2023 18:00 , Inga Parkel
While many are paying homage to O’Connor’s expansive musical and political legacy, others are remembering the singer for her 1990 cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U”.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince
Dublin-born singer shot to fame with her cover of a previously forgotten Prince song
Music critic Helen Brown on Sinead O’Connor
Monday 31 July 2023 19:00 , Inga Parkel
“The voice was strangely soft, yet O’Connor reached deep into the awkward corners of every consonant like she was gouging at scabs,” writes music critic Helen Brown. “There was a scowl and a punch thrown as she ripped into the chorus.”
Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song
O’Connor shot to fame in 1990 with her cover of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, confronting the nation with all her trauma and vulnerability. Helen Brown pays tribute to a complicated, brilliant artist
Rob Schneider recalls ‘eery’ aftermath of Sinead O’Connor’s pope stunt on SNL
Monday 31 July 2023 20:00 , Inga Parkel
Saturday Night Live alum Rob Schneider has recalled the immediate impact Sinead O’Connor’s infamous political stunt had on the show’s studio audience.
In 1992, the late Irish singer, shocked America and the rest of the world after she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II live on the popular comedy sketch show. “Fight the real enemy,” she said while staring directly into the camera.
Thirty years later, on the day of O’Connor’s death (26 July) at age 56, comedian Schneider, 59, paid tribute to the “gentle and lovely” artist, recounting one of her stand-out moments.
Read more:
Rob Schneider recalls ‘eery’ aftermath of Sinead O’Connor’s pope stunt on SNL
Irish singer was promptly banned for life by broadcaster after political protest
No medical cause given for Sinead O’Connor’s death
Monday 31 July 2023 21:00 , Inga Parkel
No medical cause was given in the death of Sinead O’Connor and an autopsy will be carried out, London Inner South Coroner’s Court said on Thursday (27 July).
The result of the autopsy may not be available for several weeks, according to a statement on the court website.
Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces
Monday 31 July 2023 22:00 , Inga Parkel
Sinead O’Connor’s brutal rejection of Piers Morgan’s invitation to feature as a guest on ITV’s Good Morning Britain has resurfaced following her death aged 56.
Accompanying the post, the 58-year-old broadcaster included a photo of the two standing together in the ITV studio.
“Knew her for 35 years & we had some ferocious spats but also some great Guinness-fuelled make-ups. She was a unique character. Sad day,” the broadcaster, 58, tweeted.
To the delight of many O’Connor fans, however, one such spat has resurfaced across social media.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces as presenter pays tribute
Broadcaster had apparently invited the late singer to appear on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’
Sinead O’Connor's prescience 'was unbelievable', broadcaster Dave Fanning says
Monday 31 July 2023 23:00 , Inga Parkel
Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album and reviewing tour dates before her death, say her managers
Tuesday 1 August 2023 00:00 , Inga Parkel
Sinead O’Connor had been “completing her new album”, reviewing tour dates for next year and was also considering “opportunities” around a movie of her book, her management company has said.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album before her death, say her managers
Grammy-winning Irish singer died on 26 July, aged 56
Tuesday 1 August 2023 01:00 , Inga Parkel
Sinead O’Connor is being remembered for her lifelong dedication to women’s rights
Tuesday 1 August 2023 02:00 , Inga Parkel
As well as her musical talent, Sinead O’Connor is being remembered for her lifelong advocacy of women’s rights following her death at the age of 56.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor’s lifelong dedication to women’s rights
Irish singer was vocal advocate for women in the music industry and reproductive rights
All-Ireland football final pays tribute to late Sinead O’Connor
Tuesday 1 August 2023 03:00 , Inga Parkel
O’Connor’s memoir ‘Rememberings’ tops best-seller list following her death
Tuesday 1 August 2023 04:00 , Inga Parkel
Irish singer’s 2021 memoir Rememberings has managed to top the best-seller list, following her death last week on 26 July.
In Rememberings, O’Connor recounts “her painful tale of growing up in Dublin in a dysfunctional, abusive household”, according to a summary.
She also takes a look at her controversial yet acclaimed career.
Music critic Helen Brown on Sinead O’Connor
Tuesday 1 August 2023 05:35 , Peony Hirwani
“The voice was strangely soft, yet O’Connor reached deep into the awkward corners of every consonant like she was gouging at scabs,” writes music critic Helen Brown. “There was a scowl and a punch thrown as she ripped into the chorus.”
Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song
Rob Schneider recalls ‘eery’ aftermath of Sinead O’Connor’s pope stunt on SNL
Tuesday 1 August 2023 06:35 , Peony Hirwani
Saturday Night Live alum Rob Schneider has recalled the immediate impact Sinead O’Connor’s infamous political stunt had on the show’s studio audience.
In 1992, the late Irish singer, shocked America and the rest of the world after she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II live on the popular comedy sketch show. “Fight the real enemy,” she said while staring directly into the camera.
Thirty years later, on the day of O’Connor’s death (26 July) at age 56, comedian Schneider, 59, paid tribute to the “gentle and lovely” artist, recounting one of her stand-out moments.
Read more:
Rob Schneider recalls ‘eery’ aftermath of Sinead O’Connor’s pope stunt on SNL
Watch: All-Ireland football final pays tribute to late Sinead O'Connor
Tuesday 1 August 2023 07:00 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor gave a young woman with terminal cancer ‘the best week of her short life’
Tuesday 1 August 2023 07:30 , Peony Hirwani
In the days since Sinead O’Connor’s death, stories of her kindness have surfaced.
One such story comes from Philip Woolcock who recalled how O’Connor had called his 20-year-old daughter, Louise, out of the blue after learning that she had terminal cancer in 1991.
“Sinéad had heard of Louise’s illness from some source, probably the press, as we were raising funds for our local hospice,” Woolcock said. “My daughter was a great admirer of her and loved her music.”
O’Connor invited Louise to London and proceeded to give his daughter “the best week of her short life”, taking her out to dinners, for drinks and dancing.
“During all this time, Sinéad never sought any publicity for these acts of love and compassion,” Woolcock said. “Today my thoughts are with two remarkable women who, I have no doubt, will be somewhere still laughing, dancing and singing.”
I read this earlier today and it made me v cry...a very lovely story about Sinéad O'Connor and her kindness.... pic.twitter.com/wPPvR4Q25b
— Marianna P 🇺🇦 (@marianna_patane) July 30, 2023
Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces
Tuesday 1 August 2023 08:00 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor’s brutal rejection of Piers Morgan’s invitation to feature as a guest on ITV’s Good Morning Britain has resurfaced following her death aged 56.
Accompanying the post, the 58-year-old broadcaster included a photo of the two standing together in the ITV studio.
“Knew her for 35 years & we had some ferocious spats but also some great Guinness-fuelled make-ups. She was a unique character. Sad day,” the broadcaster, 58, tweeted.
To the delight of many O’Connor fans, however, one such spat has resurfaced across social media.
Read more:
Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces as presenter pays tribute
Read Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus
Tuesday 1 August 2023 08:30 , Peony Hirwani
After the release of her viral music video for her hit single “Wrecking Ball”, Cyrus (then 20 years old) told Rolling Stone magazine that she’d been inspired by the O’Connor’s accompanying visuals for “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990).
In response, O’Connor wrote to Cyrus “in the spirit of motherliness and with love” and told her that it was not “cool” to be “naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos”.
Sinead O’Connor’s open letter that issued a warning to Miley Cyrus
Sinead O’Connor’s prescience ‘was unbelievable’, broadcaster Dave Fanning says
Tuesday 1 August 2023 09:00 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died
Tuesday 1 August 2023 09:30 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor died 18 months after her son Shane, who was 17 when he died last year by suicide.
On 17 July, O’Connor shared a post on Twitter paying tribute to Shane, and expressing her ongoing grief over his loss.
She wrote: “#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022. Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him [sic].”
Bardo, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a state of existence between death and rebirth.
O’Connor shared her son Shane with Irish folk musician and producer Donal Lunny. Shane died in January 2022, after escaping a hospital where he was on suicide watch.
Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died
Watch: Sinead O'Connor's stand-out moments
Tuesday 1 August 2023 10:00 , Peony Hirwani
Bob Geldof recalls last texts with Sinead O’Connor: ‘She was a very good friend of mine’
Tuesday 1 August 2023 10:30 , Peony Hirwani
Bob Geldof has shared some insight into the nature of his final messages with Sinead O’Connor, who died last week aged 56.
Read more:
Bob Geldof recalls last texts with Sinead O’Connor in weeks before her death
Inside Sinead O’Connor and Madonna’s fraught history
Tuesday 1 August 2023 11:00 , Peony Hirwani
Sinead O’Connor was known to voice her strong opinions without apology, which occasionally led to clashes with other celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Joe Pesci, Prince, and Madonna.
In an interview with Spin magazine in 1991, O’Connor directly referenced Madonna and called her out for allegedly making unkind comments about her appearance while being a promoter of women’s rights.
“Madonna is probably the hugest role model for women in America,” O’Connor noted. “There’s a woman who people look up to as being a woman who campaigns for women’s rights. A woman who, in an abusive way toward me, said that I look like I had a run-in with a lawnmower and that I was about as sexy as a Venetian blind.
“Now there’s the woman that America looks up to as being a campaigner for women, slagging off another woman for not being sexy.”
Inside Sinead O’Connor and Madonna’s fraught history
Voices: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey, but he’s right on Sinéad O’Connor
Tuesday 1 August 2023 11:30 , Peony Hirwani
“I don’t often agree with Morrissey, but I thought he put it well when he raged that ‘the cruel play-pen of fame gushes with praise’ for Sinéad O’Connor now she has died, but ‘hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you,’” writes Chas Newkey-Burden for The Independent.