Ed Sheeran Warned of Career ‘Danger’ As He Loses More Followers - Newsweek

Ed Sheeran's brand is at risk after he lost more than 439,000 Instagram followers in the past 30 days, with some of the steepest declines occurring after his emotional speech about the Macklemore controversy.

Reputation expert Eric Schiffer told Newsweek the fallout poses a "danger" to Sheeran's career because it has pulled the singer into a highly polarizing political debate.

Newsweek reached out to Sheeran’s representative via email for comment on Tuesday and awaits a response.

The drama began when rapper Macklemore—whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty—was removed from Sheeran's Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks at a New Jersey concert. The decision sparked criticism from activists and fellow musicians, prompted several supporting acts to withdraw in solidarity and drew Sheeran into a wider debate over free speech, the war in Gaza and the role of artists in political discourse.

Instagram analytics show Sheeran has experienced a significant decline in social media followers during the fallout.

According to Social Blade data, losses accelerated during the height of the controversy. On September 15 alone, Sheeran's account shed nearly 150,000 followers, while another decline of more than 98,000 followed the next day. The downward trend continued after Sheeran delivered a tearful address to concertgoers in Philadelphia over the weekend.

Schiffer, chair of Reputation Management Consultants, said the fallout could have lasting consequences for Sheeran's public image.

"Ed Sheeran's lethally stupid for how he's managed this controversy, and it's a danger to his career," Schiffer told Newsweek.

According to Schiffer, the four-time Grammy Award winner's attempt to position himself outside politics became difficult once he became actively involved in a dispute linked to Macklemore and the Israel-Gaza debate.

"He took a political position originally by hiring Macklemore," Schiffer said.

Macklemore faced criticism and accusations of antisemitism after a 2014 performance in Seattle in which he wore a costume that some observers said evoked antisemitic stereotypes. The 43-year-old denied any antisemitic intent at the time, saying the outfit was part of a theatrical disguise.

Schiffer argued that Sheeran has alienated people across the political spectrum and suggested he should return his focus to music.

"The best thing Sheeran can do now is shut his mouth, truly stay out of politics and stay focused on singing."

Standing alone before a packed crowd at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Sheeran addressed the controversy directly.

The 35-year-old admitted he had made mistakes while trying to navigate the situation and apologized to fans.

"I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I'm so, so sorry," he told concertgoers.

Later, Sheeran became emotional while thanking fans for their support.

"The world is a scary place right now; America is a scary place right now. This gives hope. Thank you so much, Philadelphia," he said.

He also acknowledged that some audience members may not have expected political remarks at a concert.

"I understand that people have children here. And I understand that families didn't buy a ticket to hear that first bit of the show, but that was something that I felt like I needed to say."

Although Sheeran has historically avoided public political commentary, he used his Philadelphia speech to discuss the conflict directly.

Calling the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel "horrific," he also condemned the crisis in Gaza.

"What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate," Sheeran said.

He additionally referenced conditions in the West Bank and framed his comments as concern for civilians rather than support for a political movement.

Several performers withdrew from the Loop Tour after Macklemore was removed.

Irish folk group Beoga, Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Danish pop band Lukas Graham all stepped away from scheduled appearances.

Finneas later pulled out of plans to join Sheeran's South American tour dates.

Those departures left Sheeran without an opening act for Saturday's Philadelphia show before additional musicians, such as fiddler Alicia Enstrom and her group, joined later in the evening.

The controversy has expanded well beyond the music industry.

Outside the Philadelphia concert, demonstrators gathered to protest Macklemore's removal, while some attendees argued political disputes should remain separate from live performances.

Prominent public figures have also weighed in.

English broadcaster Piers Morgan said on X that he agreed with some of Sheeran's observations about both the October 7 attack and the situation in Gaza but argued the singer should never have felt compelled to make a public statement.

On TMZ, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez characterized the dispute as part of a larger conversation about whether powerful interests can influence what artists are allowed to say.

Support for Macklemore has also come from entertainers and activists, including Kneecap, Hannah Einbinder and others who criticized the decision to remove him from the tour.

On Instagram, climate activist Greta Thunberg wrote: "This is not about Ed Sheeran, it is about the people dying on the ground, holding those complicit accountable and applying that pressure on everyone responsible."

Meanwhile, musician John Legend defended outspoken criticism of U.S. policy regarding the conflict and said more people are reassessing long-held views on Israel and Gaza.

"I think more and more people are realizing that we've been on the wrong side of history on a lot of the actions that our government has supported and funded and armed," Legend said during a conversation with Bevy Smith on SiriusXM’s Bevelations. "I've been talking about for years, and it wasn't kind of sensationalized in the way that Macklemore and his statement has been, but I've been talking about this for a long time. And I'm glad that more and more people are coming to that realization, and I think even our politicians are realizing, they're hearing from us, that we can't continue to fund this. We can't continue to fund apartheid; we can't continue to fund genocide. And so I think it's important that more and more voices are saying that, and hopefully real change will come from it."

Discussion around the tour has increasingly focused on charitable aid.

Macklemore recently pledged $1 million for Palestinian relief efforts and challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match the contribution.

Kraft, who also owns Gillette Stadium, emerged as a central figure in the debate after organizations linked to him supported efforts to remove Macklemore from Sheeran's tour over the rapper's comments about Israel and Gaza.

A spokesperson for Kraft later said both Kraft and Sheeran had agreed to donate $2 million each, though recipients have not been publicly identified.

Sheeran told fans he is consulting people from different perspectives as he considers ways to support victims affected by the conflict.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.