There is a feud in cyberspace between Sinéad O’Connor and Miley Cyrus. Miley revealed that her Wrecking Ball video (which I have not seen, nor care to), was inspired by Sinead’s iconic video of Nothing Compares 2 U.
This comment prompted a response from Sinéad by way of an open letter to Miley, which I found to be beautiful and caring of her to write in the first place.
I agree wholeheartedly with what Sinéad wrote, minus the curse words, and voiced similar thoughts in a recent post.
Unfortunately, Miley’s response to Sinéad’s letter was by posting derogatory tweets to demean and discredit her. Miley went further as to include Amanda Byrnes’ in this exchange, which honestly, I thought was a low blow.
Sinéad and I are the same age. We grew up in the same era. I love her voice. I identify with her, in the past and now. She has been severely misunderstood. I’ve always admire her courage. She is blunt, forthright and honest, which I can relate to.
I believe the media did awful things to her. When Sinéad wrote to Miley it was out of compassion and life experience. Miley’s response was distasteful. She lacked respect, and even poked fun at her struggle with mental illness.
Miley displayed a lack of sensitivity and maturity, not only by attacking Sinéad, but the entire community of victims who have been abused, suffering from depression and any other form of mental illness.
No one has walked a mile in Sinéad O’Connor’s shoes to know what it’s been like for her. They have tried to make her out as some crazy person, when she’s not. She has the guts to tell it like it is and some powerful people didn’t like it.
These same people manipulated the media to speak out against her and make her look like she was crazy. They knew by discrediting her, this would guarantee that no one would take her seriously or listen to what she had to say anymore.
Sinéad struggled with bi-polar. So what. This doesn’t make her crazy. She or anyone struggling with mental illness shouldn’t be dismissed as not credible. I know many people struggling with this disease who are exceptionally bright and articulate people. One thing has nothing to do with the other.
Furthermore, I believe the music industry provokes mental illness. The lifestyle, lack of sleep, incessant commitments, performances, interviews, drugs, alcohol, so on and so forth can break even the strongest of wills. The kind of pressure these performers are put under is enough to make anyone sick.
This is why Sinéad wrote to Miley. She was trying to convey the truth. She wrote from her heart because she remembers what happened to her in the industry. She wrote from the perspective of her own personal experience. She doesn’t want Miley to wind up they she did. Sinéad displayed care, concern and compassion while Miley responded with a slap in the face.
Unfortunately, Miley hurt Sinéad by what she said and posted on Twitter, and now, Sinéad wrote two other letters in response to what Miley callously said and did. What she meant for good, turned ugly and it’s sad.
I can only hope that Miley Cyrus apologizes to Sinéad O’Connor, as she deserves an apology. I pray she apologizes for attacking Sinéad O’Connor and anyone who struggle with mental illness too. Miley had better hope and pray she doesn’t find herself in a similar situation one day.
Mental illness is no joking matter.
embodyart