Laura Whitmore shares close childhood connection to 'vulnerable' Sinéad O'Connor
Laura Whitmore has revealed how the late Sinéad O'Connor inspired her as a young person in Ireland to use her "power" in the "right way."
Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Friday, the Irish TV presenter spoke candidly about the positive impact the Nothing Compares 2 U singer had had on her life as she told hosts Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins: "I think growing up in Ireland in the 90s with her as an icon, it makes me think if you have any sort of power, use it the right way,"
Sinéad's death aged 56 was announced on Wednesday evening, several hours after the beloved musician's body was found 'unresponsive' in her south London flat. Tributes have since been flooding the Internet, as fans and friends of the award-winning artist take to social media to express their grief and offer their condolences.
O'Connor, whose son Shane Lunny died by suicide at the age of 17 last year, is survived by her three children, Jake Reynolds, 34, Roisin Waters, 27, and sixteen-year-old Yeshua Bonadio.
At the time of her death, the renowned singer-songwriter was living in a penthouse in the Lambeth area. She had only recently moved back to the UK capital a few weeks ago, having spent the last several years of her life based in Ireland.
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Laura Whitmore praised the late Sinéad O'Connor on Good Morning Britain today (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Sinead O'Connor, who died on Wednesday, leaves behind an incredible legacy (Mirrorpix)Whitmore, 38, added that the singer, a fellow Dubliner, made her "proud to be Irish." She also revealed that she had attended a memorial for O'Connor in the London Irish Centre in Camden on Thursday evening to celebrate the mum-of-four's legacy, which ended up being "quite a late night."
"I think of what that woman did and how much she spoke about things and didn’t bury her head in the sand," the former Love Island host said. "She made me so proud to be Irish and I was very lucky to meet her. I think she’s someone who spoke the truth and showed that there was power in your vulnerability."
Laura also revealed that her mother, Carmel, resided in a house "around the corner" from where O’Connor lived in County Wicklow, and was constantly pointing out, "There’s where Sinéad lives."
Laura Whitmore hailed Sinéad O'Connor's legacy on Friday (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)In an interview with the Irish Independent in April, Laura revealed another surprising connection her family had to O'Connor. Reflecting on her living situation after her parents' separation as a child, the Celebrity Juice star explained that the late singer was a regular visitor to the new home she shared with her mother.
“My mom had just rented a room in a house in Glenageary. It was a woman that my mum worked with. I think Sinéad O’Connor used to babysit the woman’s kids whose house we were in," she added.
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