"The Lion and the Cobra," Sinead O'Connor's debut album, catapulted the talented Irish singer into the spotlight in 1987. However, it was in the early 1990s that she attained worldwide recognition when she included a cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" on her second album. Her distinctive bald appearance, impactful music, and controversial actions ensured that she remained a constant presence in the media spotlight.
Just like Lana Del Rey, O’Connor is certainly no stranger to controversy, from refusing to allow the American national anthem to be played before her concert to boycotting the Grammys. However, it was her stunt on the 1992 Saturday Night Live that would seal her exile from the industry. Since then, her eventful life and challenges have unfolded under the scrutiny of the public.
10 Why Does Sinead O’Connor Keep Her Hair Shaved?
O’Connor keeps her hair shaved to avoid being considered pretty so that nothing bad will happen to her. She further mentioned that her choice to maintain an androgynous appearance was also influenced by the music industry.
After O'Connor relocated to London to pursue a music career, a record executive advised her to adopt a more feminine appearance and grow her hair long. She turned her attention to another executive present and replied, "Lemme get this straight. He wants me to look like your mistress and the bird he left his wife for?" This incident pushed her to visit a local barbershop and request a complete head shave, instructing the hairdresser to make her “look like a boy”.
9 When Did Sinead O’Connor Get Exiled From The Music Industry?
After her performance on Saturday Night Live in 1992, where she tore a photograph of Pope John Paul II, O'Connor faced exile from the music industry. On that fateful day, looking directly into the camera, O'Connor passionately sang an acapella version of Bob Marley's War.
As she sang the lyrics, "We have confidence in good over evil," O'Connor held up a picture of Pope John Paul II towards the camera and tore the photograph into pieces and hurled them towards the camera, saying “Fight the real enemy.” Later, O'Connor faced a hostile reception at a Bob Dylan tribute concert held at Madison Square Garden, leading to her being jeered off the stage.
8 Why Did Sinead O’Connor Tear The Photo of Pope John Paul II?
As a gesture of protest against children being abused within the Catholic Church, O'Connor tore a picture of Pope John Paul II. The picture in question was one which had been hanging on her mother’s wall as a child. In her memoir, O'Connor recounts that during the rehearsal, she raised a photograph of a Brazilian street child who had been fatally shot by the police.
However, for the live performance, she opted to substitute the picture with the Pope’s picture. In the documentary, Nothing Compares, she explained that it was up to her to “create difficult conversations that need to be had.”
7 Sinead O’Connor Refused To Have The American National Anthem Played At Her Concert
According to DublinLive, O’Connor refused to have the American national anthem performed before her concert at the Garden State Arts Center in New Jersey as a personal policy. The pop star explained her policy of not including national anthems before her concerts, regardless of the country she performs in, including her own homeland as national anthems don't align with the essence of music as a universal language.
The officials were notified of her decision just moments before her scheduled appearance, and reluctantly agreed to forgo playing the anthem. Her action resulted in being banned from multiple New York Radio Stations, and Frank Sinatra described her as “one stupid broad.”
6 Did Sinead O’Connor Truly Boycott The Grammys?
O’Connor boycotted the 1991 Grammys because she believed the ceremony was rooted in capitalism. She had received nominations in four different categories but was only awarded 'Best Alternative Music Performance' for her album, "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" according to Los Angeles Times.
She explained her reason for boycotting in an open letter, claiming that commercial considerations often take center stage, becoming a driving force behind the existence and recognition of artists.
5 Sinead O’Connor Became A Catholic Priest
In a ceremony held in Lourdes by the separate Latin Tridentine church in 1999, O'Connor was ordained a priest and adopted the name Mother Bernadette Mary. Despite not being acknowledged by the mainstream Catholic Church, she made efforts to apologize for tearing up a portrait of the Pope admitting that it was a disrespectful thing to do and an expression of frustration on her part.
O'Connor allegedly donated IR£150,000 to the bishop who performed her ordination which she denied, claiming that she wouldn’t have been ordained if it wasn’t her true calling.
4 Why Did Sinead O’Connor Change Her Name To Magda Davitt?
O’Connor changed her name to Magda Davitt in 2017 because she wanted to be "free of the patriarchal slave names. The Nothing Compares 2 U singer first revealed her intention to change her name through a Facebook post, expressing her desire to break free from the confines of a patriarchal name, and seeking a new identity that reflects her individuality.
During a conversation with Dr Phil in September of the same year, the singer announced that "Sinead O’Connor is gone."
3 When Did Sinead O’Connor Ask For An Excommunication Certificate?
In 2018, O'Connor penned an open letter to Pope Francis, asking him to provide her with an official certificate of excommunication. She wanted to use it to attract rappers like Kanye West for potential collaborations.
The singer was officially excommunicated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, although she claims that she lacks proof of this claim. She then demanded a tangible certificate from the Vatican that she can proudly present to future generations as proof of the excommunication she faced as a result of being ordained a priest.
2 Sinead O’Connor Converted To Islam And Changed Her Name
O’Connor changed her name to Shuhada Davitt towards the end of 2018 when she announced that she was renouncing her Catholic faith and converting to Islam. In a Twitter post, she declared her newfound identity as a Muslim, a path she believes to be the “natural conclusion” of a theologian's pursuit of knowledge and understanding rendering other scriptures obsolete.
O’Connor then announced her intention to adopt a new name, Shuhada as a symbol of her spiritual rebirth. She also changed her surname to Sadaqat later in 2019.
1 Why Sinead O’Connor Cancelled All Her Shows
O'Connor canceled all her 2021 shows in order to enroll in a comprehensive one-year program focused on addressing her personal struggles with trauma and addiction.
The singer extended an apology to her fans and requested their "support and understanding" while urging them to retain their tickets for the rescheduled performances. She reassured them of her plans to release a new album and embark on a tour in 2022. The mother of four also disclosed that one of her children had also taken ill.
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