Irish singer songwriter Sinead O’Connor has died at the age of 56. In her mid 20’s she had a massive hit with the Prince-penned song, “Nothing Compares to U.” But she was never comfortable with fame.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time,” the singer’s family said in a statement reported Wednesday by the BBC and RTE. No cause was disclosed.
She was public about her mental illness, saying that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. O’Connor posted a Facebook video in 2017 from a New Jersey motel where she had been living, saying that she was staying alive for the sake of others and that if it were up to her, she’d be “gone.”
When her teenage son Shane died by suicide last year, O’Connor tweeted there was “no point living without him” and she was soon hospitalized. Her final tweet, sent July 17, read: “For all mothers of Suicided children,” and linked to a Tibetan compassion mantra.
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She made headlines in October 1992 when she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II during an appearance on Saturday Night Live. Afterward, the singer was literally “canceled,” and never returning to the spotlight. Aftward, the singer became known for her mental health struggles. While promoting her 2021 memoir Rememberings, she told Carson Daly in an interview that getting “canceled” after her disastrous SNL appearance was a good thing. She felt she was never meant to be a pop star.
“Nothing Compares to U” was a massive hit, and it’s been covered by many competition show singers.
The Voice 23 winner Gina Miles had a water cooler moment with her cover of “Nothing Compares to You”
American Idol 2018 winner Maddie Poppe performed the song at the piano for Prince night Top 7.
America’s Got Talent 2018 contestant Glennis Grace sang “Nothing Compares to U” for the Judge Cuts.
Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares to U” music video
Sinead O’Connor performs “Mandika” from her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra, on Late Night with David Letterman in 1988.
