The heartbreaking reason behind Sinéad O'Connor's trademark shaved head

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By James Kay

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Following Sinéad O'Connor's tragic death, previous interviews have revealed the heartbreaking reason behind her shaved head.

During her incredible career, the iconic singer was arguably most well known for her rendition of Prince's 'Nothing Compares 2 U' in 1990.

While the aforementioned song went on to top the Billboard Music Awards as the world's number-one single in the year of its release, she also released 10 studio albums throughout her career.

Tragically, it was announced last night (July 26) that O'Connor had passed away aged 56, with her cause of death still to be released.

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Sinéad O'Connor has tragically died aged 56. Credit: HGL/Getty

In 2017, the star sat down with Dr. Phil on his show, where she discussed her difficult upbringing, including the reason behind her shaved head.

Speaking on the show, O'Connor opened up about the abuse that she suffered at the hands of her mother, who passed away in a car accident when the singer was 19.

"She was not well. She was very, very, very not well. I would say she was possessed," O'Connor said. "Although I'm not sure I believe in such things. She ran a torture chamber. It was a torture chamber. She was a person who took delight and smile in hurting you."

As to the reason why she shaved her head, the singer said: "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."

Watch the heartbreaking interview below:

O'Connor furthered her reasoning by revealing that she "didn't want to be pretty" because she would be "raped and molested" wherever she went - and a shaved head helped her avoid such traumatic events.

After converting to Islam in 2018, O'Connor adopted the name Shuhada' Sadaqat, declaring that she felt at "home" within the religion.

During a 1992 episode of Saturday Night Live, the singer famously tore up an image of Pope John Paul II while uttering the word "evil" in a protest against the alleged child abuse committed by the Catholic Church.

O'Connor was open about her battles with mental health issues, admitting to Oprah Winfrey that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003 and had attempted to take her own life in 1999.

Tragically, last year her son Shane died by suicide, and this heartbreaking event led to O'Connor being admitted to the hospital after she shared suicidal thoughts online.

Our thoughts remain with O'Connor's loved ones and fans at this time.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Featured image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty