US5 min(s) read
Ed Sheeran is facing further backlash, this time from his own family, after his cousin publicly launched a blistering attack on the singer amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore's departure from his US tour.
The man who claims he is Ed's 'first blood cousin', Jethro Sheeran, took to Instagram to launch a scathing attack on his famous relative.
In the post, Jethro claimed that his cousin was both “selfish” and “malicious” following last week’s events that saw all four of Sheeran’s supporting acts, including Macklemore, either removed or withdraw from his tour.
His cousin also claimed that he was “ashamed” of his famous family member and described him as “not a good person”.
“Finally the world and all his fans see through him. He’s not a good person, I don’t like his music so I can’t say he’s even a good artist,” Jethro wrote.
“He’s honestly a selfish individual with malicious, cunning ways. ‘He kills you with kindness’ (His Words) I’m his first blood cousin and he screwed me over, made fun of my mental health and mental health in general,” he claimed.
Jethro then accused Ed of being “shady” and alleged: “He’s dropped Macklemore himself I believe 100% he’s a coward.”
The cousin went on to describe Ed as “a bad human” and alleged that the singer had prioritized his own interests.
“He only cared about himself and he puts out fake narrative that’s calculated just to keep everyone happy so he can do big private gigs and keep brand deals etc.”
The extraordinary family criticism comes as Ed remains embroiled in controversy over Macklemore's removal from his US Loop tour.
Macklemore had delivered a pro-Palestinian speech during a show at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, telling the crowd that he wanted people in Gaza and the “occupied West Bank” to know they had not been forgotten, before going on to recite his protest song 'Hind's Hall', which was dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University.
Macklemore later announced that he would no longer appear on the remaining dates of the tour, claiming that billionaire businessman Robert Kraft and other venue owners had effectively given Sheeran an ultimatum.
According to Macklemore, Sheeran was told: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
Sheeran has previously insisted that he was not responsible for Macklemore being removed and said he had his own views about the Israel-Gaza war.
The controversy subsequently led to the other support acts withdrawing from the tour, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga.
Sheeran eventually addressed the situation publicly during his Philadelphia concert, where he became emotional while addressing the audience.
“This is not usually how I would open the show, but before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words,” he acknowledged.
“I’m used to my music being criticized ... This week the criticism was about something much more important ... I am making mistakes and I am so, so sorry.”
He continued: “I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important, compassionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.
“But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
Sheeran said he sympathized with people affected on both sides, referring specifically to the October 7 attack in Israel and the subsequent devastation in Gaza.
“What happened in Israel, and at the Nova music festival on October 7, it was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain,” he told the crowd.
He then addressed the situation in Gaza, where the IDF has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians since the war began.
“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation, loss of civilians’ lives, children’s lives.
“And ... this systemic injustice we’re seeing unfolding in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
During the emotional speech, Sheeran also appeared to criticize the circumstances surrounding Macklemore's removal, expressing concern about the possibility of music venues attempting to control what artists can say on stage.
“I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performance,” he claimed. He added that “it should never happen in the free world”.
The Philadelphia show had already been affected by the fallout, with the concert reportedly delayed after support acts and Sheeran's backing band withdrew.
The singer had originally been expected to take to the stage at around 5.30PM local time, but the show did not begin until approximately 8PM.
Meanwhile, the controversy continues to generate criticism online, with some fans reportedly demanding refunds and others attempting to resell their tickets.
