Since rapper Macklemore used his time onstage at an Ed Sheeran concert to make a political statement, the headliner has lost his band, his opening acts, and now a significant portion of his social media following.
During two September concerts at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore declared “Free Palestine,” performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” and displayed footage related to the war in Gaza. After the performances generated significant backlash, he was dropped from the tour.
According to The Independent, Social Blade data shows that Sheeran lost nearly 150,000 Instagram followers on September 15, the day he first addressed the dispute.
Screenshot of Ed Sheeran’s Instagram profile – @teddysphotos, Instagram
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Another 150,000 accounts reportedly unfollowed him the following day, followed by approximately 98,000 more one day later. The decline continued through the weekend, leaving Sheeran with approximately 47.2 million Instagram followers as of September 23.
Altogether, the singer reportedly lost roughly half a million followers in one week.
Ed Sheeran Faces Backlash From Both Sides
Social Blade’s figures cannot reveal why individual users unfollowed Sheeran. However, the timing suggests that the losses may reflect anger from both sides of an increasingly bitter political dispute.
Some activists believe Sheeran failed to go far enough in defending Macklemore or supporting Palestinians. Scream actress Melissa Barrera, who was fired from the franchise following social media posts expressing similar pro-Palestinian views, argued that Sheeran should have kept the rapper on his tour despite resistance from upcoming venues.
“I mean, it’s possible that he still would have had his shows canceled, but I bet you that he could have rebooked those shows in other venues just as easily, and people would have rallied behind him,” the actress said.
Ed Sheeran performing during his North American tour – Ed Sheeran, YouTube
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Others may be frustrated that Sheeran eventually gave in to the pressure and turned his concert into the political forum he had previously tried to avoid.
Sheeran initially explained in an Instagram post that he deliberately kept politics offstage because his shows were intended to offer “joy, escapism, and love.”
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics,” he wrote. “Those who come to my show do not expect a political forum.”
However, that position did not survive the backlash.
Sheeran Abandons His Apolitical Stance
Before his September 19 concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran apologized for his handling of the controversy and admitted that he had made mistakes.
“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician,” he said. “But this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.”
Sheeran condemned the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel before describing the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
Ed Sheeran – The Graham Norton Show, YouTube
His statement followed the departure of Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish folk group Beoga, all of whom withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Sheeran maintained that the promoter made the final decision after venues refused to host shows featuring Macklemore. Nevertheless, activists continued to hold him responsible.
The dramatic follower loss may illustrate the danger of trying to satisfy a political mob. Sheeran’s initial attempt to remain neutral angered activists, while his eventual apology and political statement risked alienating fans who simply wanted a concert.
By attempting to appease both groups, he may have satisfied neither.
Why do you think Ed Sheeran has lost nearly half a million social media followers? Sound off and let us know!
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