US ACTRESS Bette Midler has stood up for Sinéad O'Connor, stating that she was right about "everything" including when she infamously ripped up a picture of the Pope on stage in the 1990s.
In 1992, the Irish singer was a rising star at the peak of her fame; Nothing Compares 2 U was a smash hit across the globe, and the 26-year-old had been invited on to America's Saturday Night Live to perform for US audiences.
While on stage, in protest against the Catholic Church and its role in the sexual abuse of children, O'Connor ripped up a photograph of then-Pontiff John Paul II; the fall-out was swift and unforgiving, and her reputation was tarnished, particularly at home in Ireland, at the time a hugely devout Catholic country.
As the years went on, however, and following more revelations regarding the Catholic Church and its cover-up of the abuse of children, including in Ireland's Mother and Baby Homes, attitudes towards O'Connor's on-stage protest have changed somewhat.
US Actress and musician Bette Midler earlier this week voiced her support for Sinéad O'Connor, stating that she was right at the time and was right "about everything".
Taking to Twitter, Midler shared a comment from a fan of the Nothing Compares 2 U singer which stated she was "so brilliant and so real", and when she tore up the photo of Pope John Paul II she was "spot on and brave".
"It's hard to forget that specific pope as he said wearing condoms was a 'sin' in countries ravaged by AIDS," the comment went on. "Morally bereft."
Sharing the post and commenting on the fact that O'Connor is preparing to release her memoir, Midler said "Turns out she (O'Connor) was right about... everything."
US actress Bette Midler attends the WSJ Magazine 2019 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 6, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)Midler's shared post and own personal comment received a majorly positive reaction, both from fans of O'Connor and the singer herself, who replied:
"OMG! Bette!
"You have no idea how much I have always adored you! Always wanted to sing with you!"
The Dubliner said that Midler's message had "made my day", adding "I love you".
The interaction between the two stars-- and in particular the suggestion of a duet-- sent fans into meltdown, with one woman, Sabrina Chap, writing "Wow- Bette Midler and Sinead O'Connor having a meeting of the minds is the duet I didn't know I needed.
"I'm so glad you two powerful women are connecting. This is joy."
"Some days Twitter can be soul joy," another wrote, while writer and broadcaster Damian Barr simply wrote "Now * that * is a duet!".
Sinéad O'Connor's tell-all memoir, Rememberings, will be released on 1 June 2021.
