'An amazing woman': Top stars across the world pay tribute to Sinéad O'Connor

Sinéad O'Connor died aged 56. Picture: Paul Daly/RollingNews.ie

Actor Russell Crowe has shared a touching tribute to singer Sinéad O’Connor following the news of her death.

In remembering O’Connor, Crowe took to social media to share an encounter he had with the singer in Dalkey last year while he was having a pint outside a pub.

“Last year, working in Ireland, having a pint in the cold outside a Dalkey pub with some new friends, a woman with purpose strode past us. Puffy parker zipped to the nape and her bowed head covered in a scarf,” he said in a tweet.

Actor Russell Crowe shared an encounter he had with the late singer. Picture: Katerina Sulova/CTK via AP

The Gladiator star went on to explain that one of his friends “jumped up and pursued the woman” before he saw them embrace, and wave him over to join.

“There under streetlights with mist on my breath, I met Sinéad. She looked in my eyes, and uttered with disarming softness ‘oh, it’s you Russell’.

“She came with us back to the table and sat in the cold and ordered a hot tea. In a conversation without fences we roamed through the recent Dublin heatwave, local politics, American politics, the ongoing fight for indigenous recognition in many places, but particularly in Australia, her warm memory of New Zealand, faith, music, movies and her brother the writer. 

“I had the opportunity to tell her she was a hero of mine.

“When her second cup was taking on the night air, she rose, embraced us all and strode away into the fog-dimmed streetlights. We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman.

He added: “Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad.”

  

In a statement on Wednesday, O'Connor's family confirmed that the Nothing Compares 2 U singer had died at the age of 56.

The statement read: "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".

Some of the biggest names in the entertainment world have also paid tribute after the singer's death.

On her website, Kate Bush hailed O'Connor as "a beacon on a high mountain."

She wrote: "It’s like a light has gone out, hasn’t it? A beacon on a high mountain. Sinead didn’t just move us with her incredibly emotive voice, she stood up with it.

"I salute her. We were lucky to have such a magical presence move among us."

Australian actress Toni Collette said that she “adored her from afar as a teen” before being “lucky enough” to hang out with her.

She wrote: “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.” 

Sinéad O'Connor.

Singer Alanis Morissette hailed her as a “profound inspiration”.

“Her passion, poetry, and unapologetic expression raised the bar on artistry and female empowerment. Her questioning of societal norms deeply influenced culture’s appreciation of female complexity.

“I’m feeling empathy for Ireland, for the world, and for all of us who are saddened by this news.” 

Flavor Flav, on behalf of Public Enemy, who worked with O’Connor during her career, wrote: “The passing of Sinead O’Conner breaks my heart. She was very supportive of Public Enemy,,, and she was a legend that’s gone too soon. My condolences to her son and family.” 

Rapper ICE-T wrote: “Respect to Sinead….. She stood for something… Unlike most people…. Rest Easy”.

REM lead singer Michael Stipe said: “There are no words,”, while Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan and his wife Victoria Mary Burke said: “We don’t really have words for this but we want to thank you Sinead for your love and your friendship and your compassion and your humour and your incredible music. We pray that you are at peace now with your beautiful boy.” 

Sinéad O'Connor. Picture: Lindsey Best for the Washington Post

Meanwhile, the singer Morrissey has hit out at some of the tributes, saying: "You praise her now only because it is too late. You hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you."

The former frontman of The Smiths added that O'Connor "was a challenge, and she couldn’t be boxed-up, and she had the courage to speak when everyone else stayed safely silent".

"As always, the lamestreamers miss the ringing point, and with locked jaws they return to the insultingly stupid 'icon' and 'legend' when last week words far more cruel and dismissive would have done."

In the statement published on his website, Morrissey said: "She was dropped by her label after selling 7 million albums for them. She became crazed, yes, but uninteresting, never. She had done nothing wrong. She had proud vulnerability … and there is a certain music industry hatred for singers who don’t ‘fit in’ (this I know only too well), and they are never praised until death - when, finally, they can’t answer back."