Adele Bertei has publicly challenged the narrative surrounding the final musical works of Sinéad O’Connor, accusing producer David Holmes of “exploiting” the late singer’s memory. The controversy stems from a recent social media update shared by Holmes, who marked the third anniversary of O’Connor’s passing by discussing their collaborative project, No Veteran Dies Alone.
In his post, Holmes shared private text messages from O’Connor, in which she praised the record and expressed a desire to continue working together. He noted his uncertainty regarding whether the album would ever be released, describing the work as a “stone cold classic” and a “love letter to her children and the world.”
However, Bertei, an author and musician who penned Sinéad O’Connor's Universal Mother, has pushed back against this portrayal. Taking to Instagram, she claimed that O’Connor had actually “dumped” Holmes from the project due to dissatisfaction with his production style. “SINÉAD IS FURIOUS. I commune with her through the veil,” Bertei wrote, asserting that the singer would not approve of how her legacy is currently being handled.
Bertei acknowledged that while Holmes did record early tracks for the album, he failed to mention that the professional relationship had soured. “Was she initially inspired working with him? Probably. She was impulsive as we all know, and loved being in the studio, and they did write together. But these texts he’s posting on socials? Shame on him. He’s exploiting her,” she stated.
The author further cautioned fans against believing that Holmes is the sole gatekeeper of this “secret” material. While Bertei maintains that the music itself is “beyond magnificent,” she expressed strong disapproval of the producer taking full credit for the project’s narrative. Regarding the potential for an official release, Bertei suggested that the music might eventually be shared by those closest to O’Connor, but only “when the timing is right.”
NME has reached out to a representative for Holmes for comment. Since her passing in July 2023, O’Connor has been widely celebrated for her immense influence on music and her fearless advocacy for social and political change. Her final studio album remains 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss, with her last single being 2023’s “The Skye Boat Song.”