Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard paid a moving tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor during the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” on Sunday night, captivating the audience with a powerful rendition of Prince’s iconic song, “Nothing Compares 2 U.” This performance served as a poignant homage to O’Connor, who famously catapulted the 1985 track to global recognition in 1990 with her deeply emotional version for her album, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.”
Two nights prior to the anniversary special, Cyrus and Howard had already graced the stage during the “Saturday Night Live” concert special. However, their performance on Sunday carried a particularly significant weight as it was dedicated to honoring O’Connor’s enduring musical legacy. The choice of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song synonymous with Sinéad O’Connor’s artistry, resonated deeply with viewers, serving as a reminder of her unique vocal talent and the raw vulnerability she brought to her music.
O’Connor’s history with “Saturday Night Live” is itself noteworthy, though marked by both acclaim and controversy. In 1992, she delivered a striking performance on the show, singing a cover of Bob Marley’s protest song “War.” But it was the episode’s conclusion that sparked widespread debate and significantly impacted her career. In a moment that became instantly infamous, O’Connor tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on live television as a statement against sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Her words, “Fight the real enemy,” echoed her passionate stance.
The aftermath of this performance was immediate and severe. “Saturday Night Live” banned O’Connor, and the controversy became fodder for subsequent sketches. The following week’s host, Joe Pesci, publicly criticized her actions. Just weeks later, when O’Connor appeared at a Bob Dylan tribute concert in New York City, she was met with boos from the audience, illustrating the intense public backlash she faced.
Despite the career challenges that followed, Sinéad O’Connor held a nuanced perspective on the incident. In her 2021 memoir, “Rememberings,” she wrote, “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. I feel that having a number-one record derailed my career and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track.” This reflection reveals her belief that the controversy, while damaging in some ways, paradoxically realigned her artistic path with her convictions.
In a separate 2021 interview with People magazine, O’Connor further elaborated on her understanding of the reaction, acknowledging the cultural differences in how the issue was perceived. “I was well aware there would be [backlash],” she stated, adding, “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 passing in 2023 at the age of 56 marked the end of a significant chapter in music history. Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard’s performance of “Nothing Compares 2 U” on SNL served not only as a beautiful musical tribute but also as a reminder of O’Connor’s powerful voice, her fearless activism, and the enduring impact of her artistry. Their rendition ensured that the poignant beauty of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” forever intertwined with Sinéad O’Connor’s legacy, continues to resonate with audiences.
