Morrissey has hit out at the tributes pouring in for Irish music legend Sinead O’Connor in the wake of her death aged 56.
In a statement shared with Irish media, the singer’s family said: “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.”
In light of her passing, the English singer-songwriter aired his frustrations over many celebrating O’Connor’s achievements, asking where was all this support when she was alive.
The 64-year-old penned: “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.”
Taking aim at fellow musicians and celebrities directly, he continued: “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 Smiths frontman also compared O’Connor to some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry who died well before their time, writing: “Why is ANYBODY surprised that Sinead O’Connor is dead?
“Who cared enough to save Judy Garland, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Marilyn Monroe, Billie Holiday?
“Where do you go when death can be the best outcome? Was this music madness worth Sinead’s life?” he continued.
“No, it wasn’t. She was a challenge, and she couldn’t be boxed-up, and she had the courage to speak when everyone else stayed safely silent.
“She was harassed simply for being herself. Her eyes finally closed in search of a soul she could call her own.”
Aside from her music, O’Connor was known for her outspoken activism across a number of issues, and frequently spoke out about the child abuse scandal in the Catholic Church.
In 1992, she famously tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II while appearing as a guest on Saturday Night Live. Her actions resulted in her being banned for life by broadcaster NBC and sparked protests in the US.
And in 1990, she said she would refuse to go on stage in New Jersey if the Star-Spangled Banner was performed.
In 2014, she revealed she had joined Irish political party Sinn Fein and called for leader Gerry Adams to stand down.
Musically, she was best known for her single Nothing Compares 2 U, released in 1990, which went on to hit number one around the world.
It was her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, which brought her global fame with the heartrending cover of Prince’s hit.
The simple, yet unforgettable, accompanying video featured almost nothing else but a close-up shot of the shaven-headed singer performing the ballad with tears rolling down her cheeks.
It reached number one on the Billboard Music Awards and the album went on to sell more than seven million copies. She went on to release another eight studio albums.
Born Sinead Marie Bernadette O’Connor in Glenageary, Co Dublin, in December 1966, the singer had a difficult childhood.
At the age of 15, she was placed in a Magdalene asylum for shoplifting and truancy.
But it was also where she discovered her talent for music, after a nun bought her a guitar and set her up with a music teacher.
O’Connor converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat, though she carried on performing under the name Sinéad O’Connor.
Her death comes just a year after her son Shane passed away last year aged 17. His body was recovered in the Bray area of Wicklow, Ireland, after he was reported missing.
