'That Was Painful to Watch': Viewers React to Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard's Cover of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' at SNL50 – Video

A tribute performance at SNL50 took an unexpected turn, drawing sharp criticism and stirring debate over its execution.

Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard took the stage at "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" on Sunday, February 16, 2025, to perform "Nothing Compares 2 U, sparking online buzz."

However, their rendition of the song garnered mixed reactions from viewers, with many expressing disappointment.

Several Facebook users shared their opinions on the performance, with many criticizing Cyrus' vocals. One user wrote, "That was painful to watch. Such an amazing song and this was a disrespect to Sinead."

Another comment described their performance as "One of the evening's low points." Some viewers took issue with Cyrus' singing, with one stating, "Miley has such a mediocre voice." Another added, "Wish it was only Brittany. Miley should have just left it alone [sic]."

Others were more direct in their criticism. One person commented, "Absolutely ruined the song. It was tragic." Another expressed disappointment, "Miley Cyrus... why?"

While some fans acknowledged their appreciation for Cyrus as an artist, they felt the performance did not suit her voice.

One user shared, "I love Miley but not for that song. Howard should have done it. I only really like Sinead and Price versions. I love the song [sic]."

Others noted issues with the arrangement, with one stating, "I love me some Miley but this was not her best vocal. Thank goodness for Britany. The arrangement was weird [sic]."

Some were particularly critical of Cyrus' live singing ability. One user wrote, "Miley, like always, was HORRIBLE live. She sang flat, monotone and showed that she is extremely limited in her vocal range. Only mindless fanbois/girls will enjoy it. Brittany sang her off the stage [sic]."

Cyrus and Howard's rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U" was meant to honor the late Sinéad O'Connor. The song carries a complex history within the music industry and on the "Saturday Night Live" stage.

Written by Prince in 1985, the track was initially recorded by his side project, The Family, before O'Connor transformed it into a global hit in 1990 with her raw and emotional interpretation.

However, O'Connor's history with SNL became controversial after her 1992 appearance. While performing Bob Marley's "War," she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II in protest of child abuse within the Catholic Church.

The act led to widespread backlash, and she was subsequently banned from the show.

Cyrus' connection to "Nothing Compares 2 U" dates back over a decade. In a September 2013 Rolling Stone interview, she compared her "Wrecking Ball" music video to O'Connor's emotionally charged visual for the song.

She explained, "It's like the Sinéad O'Connor video [for Nothing Compares 2 U], but, like, the most modern version. I wanted it to be tough but really pretty — that's what Sinéad did with her hair and everything."

However, O'Connor took offense to the comparison. Shortly after the interview, she published an open letter through The Guardian, warning Cyrus about the dangers of exploitation in the music industry.

"Women are to be valued for so much more than their sexuality. We aren't merely objects of desire," she wrote. O'Connor also urged Cyrus to distance herself from industry executives who, in her view, were profiting from her image.

Cyrus, in response, mocked O'Connor's past struggles with mental health, referencing tweets that O'Connor had made during a vulnerable time. Their back-and-forth played out publicly, with the late Irish singer threatening legal action over Cyrus' remarks.

Later that year, O'Connor reflected on the controversy in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Despite their public feud, she acknowledged that the situation had unintentionally sparked an important discussion about mental health and media ethics.

"I think the more important thing that came out of all of that was this wonderful chance to address… how the media handle the issue of mental health," she said.

O'Connor pointed out how the media often capitalized on the struggles of public figures, particularly young female celebrities like Amanda Bynes and Britney Spears.

She criticized how paparazzi profited from images of women going through personal crises, adding, "No one in the situation has offered the girls a hug or a percentage..."

She also highlighted how such media coverage contributed to real-life consequences, saying, "It causes bullying of these girls, which doesn't stay on the page or the screen — it translates down to all the other people in the world who get bullied."

A decade after their feud, Cyrus reflected on her past exchange with O'Connor during her "2023 ABC special, Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions)."

She recalled how she had anticipated criticism over "Wrecking Ball," but had not expected backlash from fellow female artists.

"I was expecting there to be controversy and backlash, but I don't think I expected other women to put me down or turn on me, especially women that had been in my position before," she said.

Cyrus also admitted, "I had no idea about the fragile mental state that she was in, and I was also only 20 years old, so I could really only wrap my head around mental illness so much."

She felt frustrated over feeling like her artistic choices were being dismissed. "Our younger childhood triggers and traumas come up in weird and odd ways, and I think I'd just been judged for so long for my own choices that I was just exhausted," she noted. "I was in this place where I finally was making my own choices and my own decisions, and to have that taken away from me deeply upset me."

Despite their differences, she ended her reflection with a statement of respect for O'Connor. "God bless Sinéad O'Connor, for real, in all seriousness," she added.

Despite their history, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard's SNL50 performance was meant as a tribute to O'Connor, who passed away in 2023 of natural causes.

However, the execution left many viewers unimpressed, with social media users criticizing Cyrus' vocals and questioning whether she was the right choice for the song.