Ed Sheeran’s cousin is publicly condemning his famous family member amid the controversy surrounding the decision to unceremoniously remove Macklemore from the singer’s Loop Tour for his unapologetic support of the Palestinian people.
“Finally it’s all coming out! I’m ashamed of my Cousin Ed,” the singer’s cousin, Jethro Sheeran, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, September 17. “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 continued, “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.”
Jethro, a British musician known professionally as Alonestar, is the son of John Sheeran, Ed’s father’s brother. Known for his work in the hip-hop, urban, reggae and electronic music genres, Jethro went on to allege that his cousin hurt him professionally and financially before, again, taking aim at the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s recent removal from his tour.
“He is shady and he’s dropped Macklemore himself I believe 100% he’s a coward,” Ed’s cousin alleged. “In my opinion he’s a bad human. Just my opinion from my experiences. I’ve known him all my life and started him in music, took him on my stage. Took him to my first studio, Rapped on his early songs and did all I could to help him. Even when he was bullied at school. He only cared about himself and he puts out fake narrative[s] that’s calculated just to keep everyone happy so he can do big private gigs and keep brand deals.”
He continued, “That’s my honest opinion and I’m family!! He’s not a true Sheeran! Don’t hate on a Sheeran because of this silly little boy.”
Us reached out to reps for Ed for comment regarding his cousin’s claims.
The singer found himself at the center of controversy after headlining two concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month, where Macklemore, 43, was one of three opening acts.
During both of the “Thrift Shop” rapper’s sets, he chanted “Free Palestine” and played his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall” in opposition to Israel and the United States’ military campaign in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks. (According to UN reports, at least 20,000 children have been killed and more than 44,000 have been injured in Gaza at the time of publication and as result of the war.)
After alleged pressure from stadiums hosting Loop Tour fall shows, Sheeran’s tour promoter dismissed Macklemore from the lineup ahead of his remaining eight scheduled gigs.
“Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from the Loop Tour. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” Macklemore wrote in a social media statement shared on Monday, September 14. “We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families.”
During his first concert since Macklemore was dropped — and all the remaining opening acts exited the tour in solidarity — Ed addressed the controversy, apologizing for his shortcomings and admitting he’s “still learning.”
“Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran, 35, told fans during the Saturday, September 19, concert at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, per widely-circulated videos via social media. “I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised. I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal.”
He went on to say, “This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry.”
