On Wednesday, as the news of Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor’s death broke, many celebrities and public figures took to social media to pay tribute to the music icon.
“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,” her family said in a statement.
Her cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Bryan Adams and Russell Crowe have led tributes to the “Jackie” singer.
Adams mourned the loss of the late singer and shared how much he "loved working with [her] making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats".
In his lengthy tribute, Crowe shared the story of an encounter he had with O’Connor outside an Irish pub in 2022.
“We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad,” the Unhinged star wrote on Twitter.
In a tweet, Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor - who was once welcomed into the ring with O'Connor's voice before a UFC fight - said "The world has lost an artist with the voice of an angel".
He added: "Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend.
"Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure."
O'Connor's 17-year-old son Shane died by suicide last year. The "Nothing Compares 2 U" singer said in a tweet posted just nine days ago that she had been living like an "undead night creature" since his death.
“I hope you are at peace,” actor Caitriona Balfe wrote on her Instagram page, adding “and with your baby boy. Thank you for sharing your soul with us and soothing us with your incredible voice beautiful Sinéad.”
O’Connor contributed her vocals to the opening credits of Season 7 of the acclaimed series “Outlander,” in which Balfe stars. The actor’s mention of O’Connor’s “baby boy” was in reference to the singer’s son Shane, who died by suicide at age 17 in 2022.
Michael Stipe, famed REM singer-songwriter, simply wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him with O’Connor that “there are no words.” Stipe has spoken about how much he was influenced by O’Connor, telling the Washington Post in a 2020 interview that “so many people have lifted from her, from me to Miley Cyrus. She’s one of our great, living icons.”
Belinda Carlisle, the lead vocalist of the all-girls 80s rock band The Go-Gos, wrote “May she find peace now. Forever loved,” on her Twitter page on Wednesday, while singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge wrote on her page that news of O’Connor’s death “is such a tragedy.”
“What a loss. She was haunted all her life. What a talent,” Etheridge continued. “I remember my first Grammy show meeting this small shy Irish girl.”
The Cranberries – who lost their lead singer, the Irishwoman Dolores O’Riordan, in 2018 – shared a tribute on their official Instagram account, writing that they “are shocked and saddened to hear of Sinead’s sudden passing. We have all been big fans for many years. Our thoughts are with her family.”
Shirley Manson, the lead singer of Garbage, posted in honor of O’Connor to the band’s Instagram page, writing, “I’m heartbroken.”
“This disgusting world broke her and kept on breaking her. Godspeed dear fragile dove,” the post continued. “Thank you for all the beauty and all the wise teachings you offered up to us. I wish you nothing but peace and I will love you for all of time.”
O’Connor’s contemporary Annie Lennox shared a poem in the late singer’s memory on her Instagram, beginning it with, “You bared your soul… | Shared your brilliance | Through exquisite artistry”.
Rapper Ice-T said the singer "stood for something... unlike most people", Ian Brown of rock band The Stone Roses wrote that collaborating with O'Connor was "magical" and 1990s indie group Massive Attack said the band was "devastated" by her death.
Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis penned a lengthy tribute to O’Connor on Instagram, saying, “I once heard Sìnead (sic) sing acapella in an empty chapel in Ireland. It was under construction at the private home of our host. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard in my life.”
“I loved her. Her music. Her life,” Curtis added, going on to reminisce about the time she spent with O’Connor at a music festival.
“Sixth Sense” actor Toni Collette also shared a personal memory with O’Connor, writing on Instagram, “I was lucky enough to hang out with her a few times in my twenties. On one occasion we all sang in the hills of Wicklow in Eire. I sang a Jane Siberry song and Sinead then asked/encouraged me to sing one of my own. Can you imagine the terror? The intimidation? The thrill?!”
“She was so talented, so generous, humble, resilient, courageous and true,” Collette continued. “What a voice. What a force. My heart breaks.”
Beyond those in the arts, O’Connor’s impact was felt in her home country of Ireland.
“What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her,” Irish president Michael D. Higgins said in a statement.
“May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways,” his statement concluded.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar led tributes to the Dublin-born star, saying her music was "loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare".
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf reflected on the "sad news" on Twitter, using the singer's Islamic name.
"Sinéad/Shuhada was a unique musical talent who undoubtedly inspired many people to speak about their own mental health by being so open about her own struggles," he wrote. "Condolences to her family, friends & all those who loved her."
Mr Yousaf finished his tweet with a verse from the Koran commonly used when someone has died - referencing the singer's conversion to Islam in 2018.
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