Following the tragic death of Sinéad O'Connor, actor Russell Crowe has led celebrities and fans alike who are offering their tributes to the late singer.
The news of O'Connor's death broke last night (July 26), as police were called to her London home at 11:18AM to reports of an unresponsive female, and the singer was pronounced dead at the scene, per Sky News.
The Irish singer, who adopted the name Shuhada' Sadaqat after converting to Islam in 2018, is famed for her 1990 rendition of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' which became the top single in the world at the time, and she went on to have an illustrious career.
O'Connor wasn't afraid to make big statements during her life, including ripping up an image of Pope John Paul II during an episode of Saturday Night Live in 1992.
She expressed that it was done in protest of alleged child abuse within the Catholic Church, as the singer herself was a survivor of abuse.
Following the news of her death, tributes from around the world have poured in for the 'Nothing Compares 2 U' singer, including Gladiator actor Russell Crowe.
The actor shared a lengthy statement about how he once met O'Connor in an Irish pub. "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," he wrote.
Crowe continued: "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."
After his friend chatted with the woman, Crowe was waved over to come and say hello. He wrote: "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'."
The group went back to the table where O'Connor ordered a hot tea, and they delved into deep conversations.
"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. I had the opportunity to tell her she was a hero of mine," Crowe penned.
The actor recalled that O'Connor finished her second cup of tea before standing with purpose and announcing that she was leaving.
Crowe concluded: "We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad."
Yusuf Islam, commonly known by his stage name Cat Stevens, also took to Twitter to share his thoughts. "Sad to hear of the passing of sister Shuhada Sadaqat, also known as Sinéad O'Connor. She was a tender soul, may God, Most Merciful, grant her everlasting peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon - Verily we belong to God, and verily to Him do we return. 2:156," he penned.
Our thoughts remain with O'Connor's loved ones and fans during this heartbreaking time.