Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard Honor Sinéad O’Connor at SNL50 with Emotional Tribute

2025-03-02

Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard delivered a poignant tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor during the SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, February 16, 2025. The duo performed a heartfelt rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song famously covered by O’Connor in 1990, which became a global hit. The performance, accompanied by house band The Roots, showcased Cyrus’ raspy vocals and Howard’s soulful guitar work, offering a fresh take on the iconic ballad.

The choice of song carried significant weight, as O’Connor’s history with Saturday Night Live was both groundbreaking and controversial. In 1992, O’Connor performed an a cappella version of Bob Marley’s “War” on the show, during which she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II to protest child abuse in the Catholic Church. The act sparked widespread backlash and marked a turning point in her career. Despite the controversy, O’Connor later reflected on the moment as a pivotal act of defiance, stating in her memoir that it “put me back on the right track.”

Cyrus and Howard’s performance did not directly reference O’Connor’s 1992 protest but served as a subtle nod to her legacy. The tribute came just over a year after O’Connor’s death in 2023 at the age of 56. Cyrus, who had previously feuded with O’Connor during her “Wrecking Ball” era, expressed admiration for the late singer in recent years, calling her a “true artist” and acknowledging her courage.

The SNL50 special, which aired on NBC, celebrated five decades of the iconic sketch comedy show. Cyrus and Howard had also performed together two nights earlier at the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, where they covered Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” Their collaboration on “Nothing Compares 2 U” was a standout moment of the anniversary celebration, honoring both O’Connor’s enduring impact and the show’s rich musical history.

Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard Sing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ on ‘SNL50,’ But Don’t Reference Sinéad O’Connor Controversy

On SNL50, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard covered Nothing Compares 2 U, the Prince song famously covered by Sinead O'Connor.

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Miley Cyrus Covers Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ With Brittany Howard for ‘SNL50’ Special

Miley Cyrus teamed up with Brittany Howard to cover Nothing Compares 2 U, the hit made famous by Sinéad O'Connor, on Sunday's SNL50 special.

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