#SHOWBIZ: Rock icon, pop stars clash over Ed Sheeran's chaotic US stadium tour
NEW YORK: Celebrities across the political spectrum are openly taking sides as chaos continues to envelop Ed Sheeran’s US stadium tour.
Celebrities are openly taking sides in the controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour. The tour was marred after rapper Macklemore was removed from the lineup for making pro-Palestine remarks during a performance. Sheeran tried to distance himself from the decision, but his remaining three support acts and entire backing band resigned in protest. Despite being left alone, Sheeran still plans to hold ten more concerts, starting with a show in Philadelphia.
Industry heavyweights have criticized Sheeran's stance. Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters posted an angry message on social media, praising Macklemore for standing up for what he believed in and calling Sheeran a "little prick" for taking the wrong position. British singer Paloma Faith challenged Sheeran's attempt to stay politically neutral, arguing that not taking a stance on issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict is a political choice itself. She urged him to cancel the tour.
However, Faith faced backlash when she revealed she says "Free Palestine" to her children every night before bedtime. Boy George, on the other hand, came to Sheeran's defense, praising him for performing alone with just his guitar. But Boy George inadvertently spread misinformation, sharing a false claim that Israeli Eurovision winner Netta had joined the lineup and using an old 2022 performance clip as if it were recent footage.
The controversy also led to heated discussions about the intersection of music and politics. Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja pointed out that musicians like Bob Dylan, Green Day, and Pink have always used their platform to comment on social issues.
Financially, Macklemore announced he would donate $1 million of his tour earnings to Palestinian relief efforts and challenged stadium owner Robert Kraft to match the amount. Kraft revealed that Sheeran had personally called him to request a $2 million contribution, with plans to encourage other venue owners to join the fundraising effort.
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