Key facts
- Charlotte Church accused Ed Sheeran of choosing "consumerism and capitalism over doing the right thing".
- Ed Sheeran removed his support act Macklemore from his US tour after Macklemore made "free Palestine" declarations on stage.
- Macklemore claimed Robert Kraft, CEO of the Kraft Group, called Sheeran to prevent Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium.
- Sheeran stated it was "the promoter's decision" to remove Macklemore.
- Church urged her audience to chant "free Palestine" during her gig in Cardiff.
- Sheeran expressed uncertainty about continuing the tour and his career due to the controversy.
Singer Charlotte Church has publicly criticized Ed Sheeran, accusing him of prioritizing "consumerism and capitalism over doing the right thing" after he removed his friend and support act Macklemore from his US tour. Macklemore was removed following pro-Palestine statements made on stage, which led to backlash and pressure from stadium owners.
Sheeran addressed the controversy during a concert in Philadelphia, apologizing for "mistakes" and stating his desire for his shows to be about unity and humanity, not politics. He indicated that the decision to remove Macklemore was the "promoter's decision" and that he would not be drawn into a public debate about the war in Gaza.
Church, a vocal supporter of Palestinians, urged her audience to chant "free Palestine" during her own gig in Cardiff. She argued that despite Sheeran's large platform, he chose capitalism over ethical action. Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft, CEO of the Kraft Group which owns Gillette Stadium, personally contacted Sheeran to prevent his performance there.
Sheeran had previously expressed emotional uncertainty about continuing the tour and his career amid the criticism. A Saturday Night Live UK sketch depicted him as indecisive, while therapist Megan Cooper accused him of crying "white tears" and playing the victim.