Sinad O'Connor had tragically dark reason she kept hair in trademark buzzcut

October 2024 · 3 minute read

Sinéad O’Connor’s shaved head was arguably the most iconic buzzcut of all – but it was more than just a beauty choice.

The sad news broke on Wednesday (July 26) that the Irish singer, whose career spanned over three decades, died aged just 56.

The police later issued a statement on her death - revealing Sinéad was found "unresponsive" at her home in London.

READ MORE: Sinead O'Connor's emotional last social media post before tragic death aged 56

Her sudden passing comes just 18 months after her son Shane, took his own life at the age of 17 after he had gone missing for two days.

But during the Nothing Compares 2 U hitmaker’s life, she was renowned for her sensational voice, impeccable songwriting and trademark hairstyle.

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Sinéad first shaved her head at the age of 20 as a way of going against music executives who wanted her to look more feminine.

She kept her hair short throughout the remainder of her life, but in 2017 she revealed there was another heartbreaking reason behind the look.

Speaking to TV psychologist Dr Phil, Sinéad opened up about her mental health struggles.

Aged 50 at the time, she divulged how she stuck with her buzzcut style because she didn’t want others to view her as "pretty".

In the emotional interview, Sinéad explained: “My sister had the most beautiful red hair, glorious red hair, the type you’d be jealous of. But my mother took it into her head that my sister’s hair was ugly, and horrible and disgusting.

“And she started, when I had long hair, she would introduce us as her pretty daughter and her ugly daughter. And that’s why I cut my hair off. I didn’t want to be pretty."

The conversation then took a harrowing turn as Sinéad recalled the alleged abuse she faced as a youngster.

“It was dangerous to be pretty because I was getting raped and molested everywhere I went,” she said.

“That was a huge part of it. I didn’t want to be raped or molested, I didn’t want to dress like a girl, I didn’t want to be pretty. Other girls beat you up if you were pretty too.”

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The singer added how people in the music industry only reinforced her wanting to keep her more androgynous look.

She revealed: “I was asked one day would I grow my hair long and wear short skirts because they wanted to sell me on my sexuality.

“I didn’t want to be sold on that. If I was going to be successful, I wanted it to be because I was a good musician.”

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