The Real Sinead O'Connor

Sinead O'Connor achieved worldwide success as an angel-voiced, shaven-headed Irish singer of heartfelt songs, yet her impact stretched far beyond the realm of pop stardom. She was a formidable activist and a resilient survivor. Haunted by a troubled childhood marked by her violent mother, she endured 18 months in a former Magdalene Laundry due to truancy and shoplifting, and faced the tragedy of her mother's death in a car crash – all before reaching the age of 18. Her pain, anger, and deep compassion would forge her into one of the world's most powerful protest singers and activists.

Throughout her 36-year music career, she released ten studio albums, the second of which, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, soared to number 1 globally, earning her ten million pounds, half of which she generously donated to charity. Alongside her musical achievements, she became a vocal advocate for survivors of child abuse and racism, and a steadfast ally to the LGBT community and those fighting for women's reproductive rights.

Most notably, her defiant act of tearing up a picture of Pope John Paul II during a Saturday Night Live broadcast, in protest against child sex abuse within the Catholic church, ignited a global firestorm and significantly impacted her career. Featuring six exclusive interviews with friends and peers who knew her intimately, this book presents the authentic story of her extraordinary and courageous life journey.