'Nothing Compares 2 U' singer Sinead O'Connor has revealed that her very public spat with Miley Cyrus created some good because it paved the way for important discussions about mental health and human rights to be encouraged. 

The pair's friction began earlier this autumn after O'Connor wrote an open letter to the 'Wrecking Ball' beauty, warning her to be careful about the music industry's intentions and telling her that she shouldn't let the business objectify her. Cyrus hit back at the letter, mocking O'Connor and her mental health issues on social networking site Twitter, and then her fans sent a tirade of abuse to the star urging her to kill herself.

During a new interview with TIME, O'Connor explained that while it was a stressful situation to deal with she is glad it happened because it has brought certain issues to light that often get glossed over: 

"I think what was more important really that came out of the Miley thing was this issue of being able to conversate about how mental health and human rights is now. I think she was actually very helpful. I think the two of us, without meaning to, did quite a good job in terms of creating conversation about something really, really important."

She added: "The music business is corrupt, a spiritually corrupt arena. It’s full of nothing but vampires and pimps, honestly. You couldn’t understand it unless you were in it. The only way to survive it is to love music."