Sinead O'Connor apologizes for calling white people 'disgusting' while 'angry and unwell'
Sinead O’Connor is apologizing for her past comments criticizing white people and “non-Muslims.” Last November the Irish singer — who converted to Islam in 2018 and now uses the name Shuhada' Davitt — sparked outrage by sending a self-professed “racist” tweet announcing that she no longer wanted to “spend time with white people again,” blasting them as “disgusting.”
I'm terribly sorry. What I'm about to say is something so racist I never thought my soul could ever feel it. But truly I never wanna spend time with white people again (if that's what non-muslims are called). Not for one moment, for any reason. They are disgusting.
— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) November 6, 2018
The “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer — who famously tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a controversial 1992 Saturday Night Live performance in protest against the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic church — was called an “embarrassment to Ireland” over her November rant, with many commenters telling her to “get some help.”
Video: Sinéad O’Connor Says She’s Done With White People
O’Connor is now backtracking on her inflammatory remarks on the heels of an appearance on Ireland’s Late Late Show on Friday. The 52-year-old wore a red robe and hijab for the show, where she performed her most famous single and discussed her Islamic faith.
Iconic.
Sinead O'Connor performs 'Nothing Compares 2 U'#LateLate pic.twitter.com/bZzN2039y4— RTé One (@RTEOne) September 6, 2019
“I had so much prejudice about Islam,” she shared, but said that reading the Quran made her “realize I'm home, and that I've been a Muslim all my life. There's a way of thinking.”
Sinead O'Connor on about reverting to Islam.#LateLate pic.twitter.com/kH3kNPcrCr
— RTé One (@RTEOne) September 6, 2019
Following her appearance on the show, O’Connor issued a formal apology for her past comments, telling followers that she was “angry and unwell” as well as “triggered as a result of Islamophobia” at the time. She apologized for “hurt caused.”
As regards to remarks I made while angry and unwell, about white people... they were not true at the time and they are not true now. I was triggered as a result of islamophobia dumped on me. I apologize for hurt caused. That was one of many crazy tweets lord knows
— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) September 8, 2019
Her mea culpa received a mostly warm reception from fans, while her Late Late Show performance is earning rave reviews.
Good to see you back on track. We all struggle! Keep on singing x
— Alice Manning (@alida1962) September 8, 2019
Fair play for explaining and owning your remarks. No doubt it won't be good enough for the poisonous few but please don't give them any power to drag you down.
— Anna St. George (@Annacreegan) September 8, 2019
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