During the star-studded “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard delivered a poignant tribute to the late, iconic singer Sinéad O’Connor. The duo, who had already graced the stage during the “Saturday Night Live” concert special two nights prior, returned to perform a powerful rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song indelibly linked to O’Connor’s legacy.
The emotional performance served as a highlight of the anniversary event, reminding audiences of O’Connor’s immense talent and the profound impact of her music. “Nothing Compares 2 U,” originally penned by Prince in 1985, reached global acclaim in 1990 when O’Connor recorded it for her acclaimed second studio album, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.” Her version transformed the song into an anthem of heartbreak and longing, catapulting her to international superstardom and solidifying the track as her signature piece.
O’Connor’s history with “Saturday Night Live” is complex and memorable, extending beyond her musical performances to a moment of significant controversy. In 1992, during a performance on the show hosted by Tim Robbins, O’Connor sang a powerful a cappella version of Bob Marley’s “War.” However, it was the episode’s conclusion that ignited a firestorm. As a statement against sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, O’Connor tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on live television, declaring, “Fight the real enemy.”
The immediate aftermath of O’Connor’s protest was intense. “Saturday Night Live” banned her from future appearances, and the following week’s host, Joe Pesci, publicly criticized her actions. Despite the backlash and the perceived negative impact on her career at the time, O’Connor later reflected on the incident with a different perspective.
In her 2021 memoir, “Rememberings,” O’Connor challenged the narrative that the Pope photo incident derailed her career. “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.” She viewed the controversial moment as a necessary act of protest that realigned her with her artistic and personal values, even if it came at a professional cost.
In a separate 2021 interview with People magazine, O’Connor acknowledged the anticipated public reaction to her SNL protest. “I was well aware there would be [backlash],” she stated. Showing empathy and understanding, she added, “I understood it, because we joke in Ireland or in Europe that Americans, they don’t think anything happened until it happened to them. So I totally understood. I didn’t blame anyone.”
Sinéad O’Connor’s untimely passing in 2023 at the age of 56 marked a significant loss for the music world. Cyrus and Howard’s tribute performance of “Nothing Compares 2 U” at the SNL 50th anniversary served as a moving reminder of her enduring artistry, her fearless activism, and the timeless resonance of her most iconic song. Their rendition not only honored O’Connor’s memory but also highlighted the song’s continued power to connect with audiences across generations.
Watch Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard’s performance to witness their heartfelt homage to Sinéad O’Connor.
