Russell Crowe pays tribute to his 'hero' Sinead O'Connor following her death
Russell Crowe penned a touching essay to his 'hero' Sinead O'Connor following her death aged 56.
The beloved singer's death was confirmed on Wednesday evening, sending shockwaves across the entertainment world.
Her family said they were "devastated" at the Irish icon's passing, writing: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
Following her death, celebrities - including Toni Colette, Conor McGregor and Russell - took to social media to reminisce about their friendships with her.
Gladiator actor Russell took to Twitter to recall the moment he met her while working in Ireland.
South Park creators break silence on show backlash and being sued by huge celebsHe said: "Last year, working in Ireland, having a pint in the cold outside a Dalkey pub with some new friends, a woman with purpose strode past us. Puffy Parker zipped to the nape and her bowed head covered in a scarf. One of my new friends muttered an exclamation, jumped up and pursued the woman.
"Thirty metres down the road the friend and the woman embraced and he waived me over. There under streetlights with mist on my breath, I met Sinéad. She looked in my eyes, and uttered with disarming softness “Oh, it’s you, Russell”.
"She came with us back to the table and sat in the cold and ordered a hot tea. In a conversation without fences, we roamed through the recent Dublin heatwave, local politics, American politics, the ongoing fight for indigenous recognition in many places, but particularly in Australia, her warm memory of New Zealand, faith, music, movies and her brother the writer."
Russell continued: "I had the opportunity to tell her she was a hero of mine.
"When her second cup was taking on the night air, she rose, embraced us all and strode away into the fog-dimmed streetlights. We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad."
She is survived by her three children, Jake Reynolds, 34, Roisin Waters, 27, and 16-year-old Yeshua Bonadio. Her son, Shane Lunny, died aged 17 last year.
Sinead, whose haunted rendition of Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U made her a household name in 1990, sold over six million albums and performed in endless venues throughout her fruitful career.
A documentary filmed weeks before Sinead's death is set to air this weekend, with the late singer opening up about her past struggles in her final interview.
In her final social media post, Sinead tweeted a picture of her late son and wrote: "Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul."
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