Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard performing on SNL50. Photo: NBC
Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard took the stage on SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday night to honor the late Sinéad O’Connor. The duo delivered a moving performance of Nothing Compares 2 U, a song originally written by Prince but made famous by O’Connor in 1990.
This tribute came just days after their earlier performance during Saturday Night Live’s concert special, making their return even more poignant.
O’Connor’s Controversial SNL Moment
Sinéad O’Connor made headlines in 1992 with her bold statement on Saturday Night Live. During a live performance of Bob Marley’s War, she famously tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II, declaring, “Fight the real enemy.”
Her act was a protest against sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. However, the backlash was immediate. SNL banned her, and comedian Joe Pesci, who hosted the following week, openly criticized her on air. She was also mocked in later SNL sketches.
The fallout extended beyond the show. When she performed at a Bob Dylan tribute concert in New York City less than two weeks later, the crowd booed her.
Sinèad O'Connor in 1992. Photo: Getty Images
O’Connor’s Perspective on the Incident
Despite the controversy, O’Connor never regretted her decision. In her 2021 memoir, Rememberings, she addressed the impact of the moment.
“A lot of people say or think that tearing up the pope’s photo derailed my career. That’s not how I feel about it,” she wrote. “I feel that having a number-one record derailed my career, and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track.”
In an interview with People magazine the same year, she reflected on the backlash. She acknowledged that she had expected it, saying, “I understood it… Americans don’t think anything happened until it happened to them.” She added that she didn’t hold any grudges over the criticism.
Remembering a Fearless Artist
Sinéad O’Connor passed away in 2023 at the age of 56. Known for her powerful voice and unwavering convictions, she left a lasting impact on the music industry and beyond.
Cyrus and Howard’s tribute on SNL50 served as a reminder of her legacy—one of fearless self-expression and artistic authenticity.
