Remember Sinead O'Connor? She was pretty controversial in her own ways back in the 90's (for reasons other than twerking and swinging on wrecking balls). One of her most famous songs and music video was "Nothing Compares To You" which supposedly inspired Miley Cyrus in her video "Wrecking Ball" (well just parts of it--not the naked stuff). After hearing that she was one of Miley's role models, Sinead O'Connor wrote an open letter to Miley Cyrus and it is honest and refreshing and we wanted to make a joke here about Miley Cyrus not being able to read, however, after reading this letter, we respect Sinead O'Connor too much to do that.
Here are some highlights:
"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 … And it is said in the spirit of motherliness and with love.
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. 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."
She addresses Miley's "look" which is supposedly based on Sinead's look:
"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."
Hannah Montana would be proud of this:
"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."
Then the gloves come off:
"None of the men oggling you give a sh– 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— about you. All the more true when you unwittingly give the impression you don’t give much of a f— about yourself. And when you employ people who give the impression they don’t give much of a f— about you either. No one who cares about you could support your being pimped.. and that includes you yourself."
"The message you keep sending is that it’s 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. Kindly fire any motherf—er who hasn’t expressed alarm, because they don’t care about you."
To read the full letter (yes, there's more) click here.
And if for some reason you don't know who Sinead O'Connor is (for example, you weren't alive yet) Check out Sinead O'Connor's video:
"@BBCWorld: Sinead O'Connor to Miley Cyrus: do not let the music business "make a prostitute of you" ouch— Head-Of-State ✨ (@headofstate101) October 3, 2013
it's funny how TAMED and MATURE the 'crazy ones' from the previous generation seem compared to those of the next... http://t.co/Ou901gWGy8— Taha Ghaznavi (@tahaghaznavi) October 3, 2013
Related articles
- Sinéad O'Connor to Miley Cyrus: pop industry will 'make a prostitute of you' (theguardian.com)
- The Music Mix Sinead O'Connor pens open letter to Miley Cyrus: 'Don't let the music business make a prostitute of you' (stylelifeandmusic.com)
- Don't Allow Yourself to be "Pimped": Sinead O'Connor Pens Open Letter to Miley Cyrus (celebuzz.com)
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