Pop star Britney Spears recently revealed that she has strong reasons to want to play iconic singer Sinéad O’Connor in a future biopic. According to U.S. media, Spears often draws parallels between her own highly publicized breakdown and O’Connor’s battles with the system. Meanwhile, Britney’s own biopic has been put on hold.
“She sees a connection between her struggles with the media and mental health and what Sinéad went through,” an insider close to Spears said. “She feels she understands that world better than most actors.”
However, the film’s producers are considering Hollywood actress Natalie Portman for the role. They believe Portman has the talent needed to portray the Grammy-winning singer. Spears disagrees with the producers.
“She feels she already lived that look with a shaved head—the one Sinéad made iconic,” the source said. “Britney jokes that she has more experience with clippers than Portman ever will, and her own mental health experiences make her the perfect candidate to play Sinéad.”
Hollywood casting directors, however, argue that a shaved head alone isn’t enough to embody Sinéad.
“It’s about capturing her entire spirit and struggle, not just the hairstyle,” The Hollywood Reporter quoted the insider as saying.
The producers want an actress who can convey Sinéad’s “fury and vulnerability,” which is why Portman is the leading candidate for the role.
“People love Britney, but this isn’t an opportunity for the pop star to make a triumphant stage comeback. This is a demanding biopic about one of Ireland’s most uncompromising singers,” a Hollywood producer explained, emphasizing that Portman is the actress capable of achieving that level of portrayal.
