NEW YORK BOSTON |#Popular: Irish Celebrity Gossip Irish Pubs Irish Festivals Irish Roots Irish Entertainment Offbeat Irish

Home Page > Entertainment > Media reacts to Sinead O’Connor’s new middle-aged frumpy look - PHOTOS

Media reacts to Sinead O’Connor’s new middle-aged frumpy look - PHOTOS

Once ‘model-esque’ now ‘dowdy’ – are people being too hard on this brilliantly talented musician?

KATE HICKEY,

IrishCentral.com Editor

Published Friday, August 12, 2011, 5:01 AM

Updated Monday, August 29, 2011, 6:53 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

36 Comments

Sinead O'Connor - during the 1990s and present day

Photo by Google Images / Mark Doyle

PHOTOS – Sinead O’Connor through the years photo gallery

Having appeared for the first time in five years in her hometown of Bray, County Wicklow, Sinead O’Connor has been met by a frosty reception from fashionistas and judging eyes around the globe.

Outlets such as CBS and Fox News are referring to the Irish singer’s appearance as “unrecognizable” and asking if she’s the same person who rocked the charts in 1990 with “Nothing Compares to You”.

Last weekend O’Connor performed as a backup singer for reggae artist Natty Wailer. She wore all black, with a partly sheer top, blazer, pants and a large cross around her neck.

However I’m sure that some of them have changed in appearance since the 1990s. Now 44-years-old and with a massively successful, albeit controversial and tumultuous career, behind her is it fair for the international press to judge this mother of four so harshly?
----------------
READ MORE:
PHOTOS – Sinead O’Connor through the years photo gallery

Shy Sinead O’Conor plays her first hometown gig in five years – VIDEO

Sinead O’Connor lets it all hang out
----------------
CBS spoke about the “internet buzz” that the “unrecognizable” O’Connor had caused and described her as “sporting a fuller figure, glasses and longer hair.”

Fox News commented on O’Connor’s once “model-esque good looks” and she “barely resembles her former self”.

The Examiner described O’Connor as having an “Irish angelic voice” but described her “unrecognizable” look as “dowdy”. They even went as far to compare the anti-Church campaigning singers as being easily “mistaken for a nun in civilian clothes. O’Connor carried over none of the glamour or glitz from her hay day.

What is most certainly true is that bad fashion sense or not O’Connor is still a world class Irish musician. Even Fox News agreed saying that she is “no doubt the soulful singer she always was.”

Her fans will most certainly stand by her and her amazing talent as she continues her tour across Europe.

PHOTOS – Sinead O’Connor through the years photo gallery

Nster.com

E-mail

36 Comments

15 - 36 | See all comments

STEPcoach | Sep 20, 2011, 08:51 AM EDT

The eyes (still) have it! No matter her figure, her heart is still in those gorgeous eyes!We love you Sinead!

Report abuse

Newrone | Aug 22, 2011, 09:56 AM EDT

Hey, I'm looking better than ever 20 years on, with my streaks of distinction & comfy grips, plus I don't mind moving over & leaving a bit of space for Sinéad.

And yes, she was absolutely right all along while she was being castigated.

There are too few honest & true celebrities in the world.

Report abuse

artemis133 | Aug 15, 2011, 12:06 AM EDT

All those shallow reporters need to just shut up. Time ages everyone. Sinead is very talented and will be loved by fans regardless of the normal changes of aging.

Report abuse

S.Connolly | Aug 14, 2011, 09:05 PM EDT

She's a highly talented musician. You listen to her music not want she is wearing. So what to what she wears...obviously she is very comfortable in her own being and self and also comfortable in her apparel. She's not teetering on 5 inch heels or laden down with outrageous jewelry. Good for her!

Report abuse

themurphia | Aug 14, 2011, 07:36 PM EDT

That should have been...is not every woman's...etc!

Report abuse

themurphia | Aug 14, 2011, 07:34 PM EDT

Perhaps looking like some male fantasy barbie doll stereotype every woman's idea of fulfillment particulalry those who like Sinead who have some actual talent and do not therefore have to rely on their pneumatically enhanced T&A to earn their living...One of my other favourites is her version of the 'Foggy Dew' with the Chieftains..Paddy Maloney was completely blown away by her rendition which took so much out of her emotionally she fell to the ground after recording it!

Report abuse

helenmcgonigle | Aug 14, 2011, 05:16 PM EDT

Sinead's voice is a gift of God, whether in the form of music vocals or the words she has to say. She is a woman ahead of her time who obviously knows that her work both as a musician and outspoken critic of the Roman Catholic church only enriches her soul and hence her appearance as a middle aged woman shines.

Report abuse

themurphia | Aug 14, 2011, 10:02 AM EDT

Here's an idea...post some photos of her male comtemporoaries...let's see how their looks are holding up...Ali Campbell of UB40...was a bit of a babe magnet in his day what does he look like..bald...gained a few pounds...who's rubbishing him...Still got a great voice which is all peole are interested in...? Have a look at Last Day of my Acquaintance on You tube...Sinead at her most beautiful..she opens the son...'this is not for the men this is for the women'...need I say more...? Sinead you rock baby...!

Report abuse

Pittsburghkid | Aug 13, 2011, 07:38 PM EDT

A wasted talent, who would rather do her own thing, then make move. She was always true to herself to the point that her work suffered. She became a bore. I hope that she has learned some lesson along the way, and will become a great middle age actress, like Plowshare.

Report abuse

bluesman | Aug 13, 2011, 05:25 PM EDT

Gee Georgie thought you were banned from this site!!

Report abuse

eiriamach | Aug 13, 2011, 03:19 PM EDT

Not only is she a great singer, but she has proven herself a prophet. And haven't prophets always had to endure the scorn of the masses? Remember what happened when a gang of young men mocked the prophet Elisha because he was bald? Rebelforce, Aliciarose, Raftree, Iowamike, and the ever-popular GeorgeD--> Hush up now, or the woodsy critters will be tracking you too!

Report abuse

bronxjames | Aug 13, 2011, 02:10 PM EDT

Wow she was so beautiful, I loved her eyes. Now she isn't the same Sinead but we all change with time. Some for the better and others for the not so good.

Report abuse

canadianirish | Aug 13, 2011, 12:49 PM EDT

I remember when I first saw Sinead O'Connor back in the 80's. I was mesmerized. She was strikingly beautiful with her shaved head and that exquisite face with those stunning big blue eyes. And that voice!!...the voice of an angel. She is one of my favourite female singers of all time..if not my favourite. Let's cut her some slack. Not everyone in this world ages gracefully. But I do think that if she *chooses* to lose weight and start exercising whe would look amazing. But she'll always be beautiful in my eyes...that mesmerizing voice is something to be treasured.

Report abuse

mkennedy | Aug 13, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT

how fitting for all of these people to commentate on her life and everyone elses but their own! where i come from it's the people who are always speculating about others that are the most screwed up!! leave this woman alone... she's not bothering anyone! she looks just fine! shes doing her own thing which is what everyone else should be doing eh?

Report abuse

hollabackgurl | Aug 12, 2011, 11:35 PM EDT

20 years have passed. You're all looking frumpier.

Report abuse