Just days after the world lost Sinéad O’Connor, a letter from the singer has gone viral online.
Known for her political activism and often outspoken interviews, the 56-year-old penned the letter to Miley Cyrus which warned about the ‘exploitative’ nature of the music industry.
In the days following her tragic death, the open letter has resurfaced as people mourn the loss of the Irish singer.
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The letter was originally written over a decade ago by the ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ musician after Cyrus claimed her controversial ‘Wrecking Ball’ video was inspired by the star.
Shortly after this, O’Connor then shared the letter on her website and added that she’d written it in the ‘spirit of motherliness and with love’.
The mum-of-four began the piece: "Dear Miley, I wasn't going to write this letter, but today I've been dodging phone calls from various newspapers who wished me to remark upon your having said in Rolling Stone your Wrecking Ball video was designed to be similar to the one for Nothing Compares … So this is what I need to say….”
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Having grown up in the spotlight, finding fame at just 15, the Irish singer warned the former Disney star about the music industry.
"I am extremely concerned for you that those around you have led you to believe, or encouraged you in your own belief, that it is in any way 'cool' to be naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos,” she added.
“It is in fact the case that you will obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped, whether it's the music business or yourself doing the pimping.
"Nothing but harm will come in the long run, from allowing yourself to be exploited, and it is absolutely NOT in ANY way an empowerment of yourself or any other young women, for you to send across the message that you are to be valued (even by you) more for your sexual appeal than your obvious talent.”
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During the lengthy letter, O’Connor revealed that she was pleased she was ‘somewhat of a role model’ for Cyrus, pointedly adding: “I hope that because of that you will pay close attention to what I am telling you.”
"The music business doesn't give a s**t about you, or any of us. They will prostitute you for all you are worth, and cleverly make you think its what YOU wanted … and when you end up in rehab as a result of being prostituted, 'they' will be sunning themselves on their yachts in Antigua, which they bought by selling your body and you will find yourself very alone.
"None of the men ogling you give a s**t about you either, do not be fooled. Many's the woman mistook lust for love. If they want you sexually that doesn't mean they give a f**k about you.
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“All the more true when you unwittingly give the impression you don't give much of a f**k about yourself. And when you employ people who give the impression they don't give much of a f**k about you either,” wrote the iconic musician.
Having warned the young singer about the industry, the letter then discussed the importance of protecting oneself from abuse.
"Yes, I'm suggesting you don't care for yourself. That has to change. You ought to be protected as a precious young lady by anyone in your employ and anyone around you, including you.
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"This is a dangerous world. We don't encourage our daughters to walk around naked in it because it makes them prey for animals and less than animals, a distressing majority of whom work in the music industry and its associated media.”
O’Connor continued, emphasising how vital it was to know your worth within the music industry – especially while under intense public scrutiny.
She added: "You are worth more than your body or your sexual appeal. The world of showbiz doesn't see things that way, they like things to be seen the other way, whether they are magazines who want you on their cover, or whatever.
“Don't be under any illusions … ALL of them want you because they're making money off your youth and your beauty … which they could not do except for the fact your youth makes you blind to the evils of show business.
“If you have an innocent heart you can't recognise those who do not.”
In the final paragraphs of the 2013 letter, O’Connor reiterated her message and hit out at the industry execs.
She wrote: "I repeat, you have enough talent that you don't need to let the music business make a prostitute of you. You shouldn't let them make a fool of you either. Don't think for a moment that any of them give a flying f**k about you.
“They're there for the money… we're there for the music. It has always been that way and it will always be that way.
“The sooner a young lady gets to know that, the sooner she can be REALLY in control.”
Referring back to Cyrus' previous comment about her music video, the Irish star then spoke about how she’d found empowerment later in life.
"You also said in Rolling Stone that your look is based on mine. The look I chose, I chose on purpose at a time when my record company were encouraging me to do what you have done. I felt I would rather be judged on my talent and not my looks.
“I am happy that I made that choice, not least because I do not find myself on the proverbial rag heap now that I am almost 47 yrs of age … which unfortunately many female artists who have based their image around their sexuality, end up on when they reach middle age.
"Real empowerment of yourself as a woman would be to in future refuse to exploit your body or your sexuality in order for men to make money from you.
“I needn't even ask the question … I've been in the business long enough to know that men are making more money than you are from you getting naked. It's really not at all cool.
"And it's sending dangerous signals to other young women. Please in future say no when you are asked to prostitute yourself.
“Your body is for you and your boyfriend. It isn't for every spunk-spewing dirtbag on the net, or every greedy record company executive to buy his mistresses diamonds with.”
The then-47-year-old even referenced the former Disney star’s shows, as she spoke about how ‘Wrecking Ball’ also impacted other women.
"As for the shedding of the Hannah Montana image … whoever is telling you getting naked is the way to do that does absolutely NOT respect your talent, or you as a young lady.
“Your records are good enough for you not to need any shedding of Hannah Montana. She's waaaaaaay gone by now … Not because you got naked but because you make great records.
"Whether we like it or not, us females in the industry are role models and as such we have to be extremely careful what messages we send to other women.
“The message you keep sending is that its somehow cool to be prostituted … it's so not cool Miley … it's dangerous.
"Women are to be valued for so much more than their sexuality. We aren't merely objects of desire. I would be encouraging you to send healthier messages to your peers … that they and you are worth more than what is currently going on in your career.
She ended the letter with pointed instruction, telling Cyrus: “Kindly fire any motherf**ker who hasn't expressed alarm, because they don't care about you."
Sadly though, the two would come to bitter blows over the letter, with Cyrus accused of making light of the star's mental health on Twitter by sharing a string of O'Connor's old tweets when she was in the midst of a mental health struggles.
At the time, the Irish singer replied: "You have posted today tweets of mine which are two years old, which were posted by me when I was unwell and seeking help so as to make them look like they are recent.
"In doing so you mock myself and Amanda Bynes for having suffered with mental health issues and for having sought help.
"Remove your tweets immediately or you will hear from my lawyers. I am certain you will be hearing from all manner of mental health advocacy groups also. It is not acceptable to mock any person for having suffered."
A then 20-year-old Cyrus responded: "Sinead. I don't have time to write you an open letter cause I'm hosting & performing on SNL this week.
"So if you'd like to meet up and talk lemme know in your next letter. :)"
LADbible has contacted Cyrus' reps for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Miley Cyrus, sinead o'connor
Katherine Sidnell