Miley Cyrus definitely had a war of words with Sinead O’Connor in 2013. The Irish singer had written Cyrus an open letter expressing her concern about her controversial image after the music video for “Wrecking Ball” was compared with hers for “Nothing Compares 2 U.” In the letter (via The Hollywood Reporter), O’Connor warned against the dangers of music industry exploitation, writing, “You will obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped.”
While she may have believed she was helping, Cyrus didn’t take it that way. On Twitter, she shared screenshots of tweets where O’Connor had asked for emergency help in treating her mental illness, and mockingly wrote, “Before Amanda Bynes … There was….” In response, O’Connor wrote another open letter that slammed the star for ridiculing mental health issues — and for dragging Bynes into the joke. Cyrus seemingly dismissed it though, tweeting back, “Sinead. I don’t have time to write you an open letter ’cause I’m hosting [and] performing on ‘SNL’ this week.” That inspired a third letter from O’Connor who demanded an apology — not just for herself, but also to Bynes, and all those with mental health issues. She also threatened legal action.
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Days later, Cyrus addressed the feud on “Today” (via MTV). Stating how O’Connor had inspired her as an artist, she added, “I don’t know how someone can start a fight with somebody that’s saying, ‘Hey I really respect you,’… that was kind of crazy.”
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
