Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Sinéad O'Connor

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 27, 2025

Public opinion and media debates around Sinéad O'Connor—discover key moments of controversy.

Sinéad O'Connor (Shuhada' Sadaqat) was a celebrated Irish singer-songwriter and activist known for her powerful vocals and outspoken views. She gained international recognition with her debut album, *The Lion and the Cobra* (1987). Her most commercially successful album, *I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got* (1990), sold millions globally and featured the hit single "Nothing Compares 2 U," which topped the Billboard charts. O'Connor was known for her distinctive shaved head and her willingness to challenge societal norms and express her beliefs, often generating controversy.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1990: Boycott of National Anthem and Criticism

In 1990, O'Connor stated she would not perform if the United States national anthem was played before her concerts due to her belief that the American music industry was racist. This led to attacks, criticism from celebrities like Frank Sinatra, and protests where her albums were steamrolled.

October 1992: Saturday Night Live Protest

On October 3, 1992, O'Connor tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live as a protest against the Roman Catholic Church's handling of child abuse, sparking significant controversy.

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1992: SNL Protest Reaction

In 1992, O'Connor's SNL protest led to widespread criticism and mockery, but Time later named her the most influential woman of the year for her actions. O'Connor wrote in her 2021 memoir, Rememberings, that she did not regret the protest.

1992: Saturday Night Live Protest

In 1992, Sinéad O'Connor tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live to protest against child abuse in the Catholic Church, sparking considerable controversy.

June 1993: Public Letter in The Irish Times

In June 1993, O'Connor wrote a public letter in The Irish Times detailing her family issues and accusations of child abuse.

1999: Ordination as Mother Bernadette Mary

In 1999, Sinéad O'Connor was ordained as a priest by Bishop Michael Cox of an Independent Catholic church, taking the religious name Mother Bernadette Mary. This occurred after she expressed a desire to be a Catholic priest on The Late Late Show.

March 2010: Speaking Out Against Catholic Abuse Scandal

In March 2010, Sinéad O'Connor spoke out against the Catholic sexual abuse scandal in Ireland on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360° and published an opinion piece in The Washington Post about the scandal and her time in a Magdalene laundry. She labeled the Vatican as "a nest of devils" in the Sunday Independent.

2013: Open Letter to Miley Cyrus

In 2013, Sinéad O'Connor published an open letter to Miley Cyrus, warning her about the treatment of women in the music industry following Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball" music video release. Cyrus responded by mocking O'Connor, though she later apologized after O'Connor's death.

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2014: Conflict with Prince

In 2014, Sinéad O'Connor recounted a negative experience with Prince, the writer of "Nothing Compares 2 U". She claimed he summoned her to his home, criticized her swearing, and became violent, leading her to flee. The encounter, detailed in her memoir, included bizarre behavior such as serving unwanted soup and a violent pillow fight. The events happened in 2014.

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2014: Refusal to Play in Israel

In 2014, Sinéad O'Connor refused to perform in Israel as a protest against the treatment of Palestinians, expressing her sympathy for their plight.

2015: Comments on British Rule in Ireland

In a 2015 interview with the BBC, Sinéad O'Connor expressed the controversial opinion that Ireland might have been better off remaining under British rule due to the influence of the Church.

August 2018: Request for Excommunication

In August 2018, Sinéad O'Connor, via an open letter, asked Pope Francis to issue a certificate of excommunication to her, having previously made the same request to Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II.

November 2018: Controversial Remarks After Conversion

In November 2018, after converting to Islam, Sinéad O'Connor, then known as Shuhada' Davitt, made controversial remarks on Twitter, calling non-Muslims "disgusting" and criticizing Christian and Jewish theologians.

September 2019: Apology for Controversial Remarks

In September 2019, Sinéad O'Connor apologized for her controversial remarks made in November 2018, stating that they were a result of Islamophobia and were not true.