Taylor Swift hasnt publicly spoken out in support of close friend Ed Sheeran as controversy over Macklemore’s removal has engulfed Sheeran’s latest tour.
Sheeran has faced scrutiny from some pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activists after his tour promoter and venues dropped rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour after Macklemores onstage chants of “Free Palestine” earlier this month.
Groups, including StopAntisemitism and the Combat Antisemitism Movement called for Macklemore’s removal, while singer Pink criticized Macklemore’s performance.
MACKLEMORE DOUBLES DOWN AFTER GETTING KICKED OFF ED SHEERAN TOUR AFTER PRO-PALESTINE STANCE
It was during his opening set on the tour at New Jerseys MetLife Stadium when the Grammy-winning Macklemore also described Israels actions using terms such as “genocide” and “apartheid.”
Since the dust-up, Sheeran released a statement addressing the situation, saying the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tours promoters and venues, not by him personally. He also noted his desire to continue the tour and not let down fans or crew members who rely on his concerts for their income.
That was followed by four of his tour openers withdrawing from his concerts in solidarity with Macklemore, while also noting their own opposition to what they described as genocide in Gaza. Macklemore notably when he donned what appeared to be an antisemitic costume caricaturing Jewish people, although he claimed it was unintentional.Â
As Sheeran has been navigating one of the most public controversies of his career, his longtime friend and collaborator Swift has been quiet, reflective of a career where she’s generally, but not always, stayed out of political strife.
Swift has shared a close personal and professional relationship with Sheeran spanning more than a decade. It has even been described as one of the most high-profile friendships in modern music history, with the pair mutually supporting each other through the years and collaborating both in the studio and onstage.
Sheeran appeared as the opening act for the North American leg of Swifts “Red Tour” in 2013, and the two have teamed up on songs including the duet “Everything Has Changed” from that tour and the 2021 song “Run.” He also was a “surprise guest” during her Eras Tour.
Plenty of other memorable moments have ensued between the two. When Swift won her first BRIT Award in 2015, she publicly thanked Sheeran in her acceptance speech, crediting him with teaching her about British culture and pubs. Sheeran has been known to appear at her concerts, one time dressed as a clown as he went onto the stage during one of her Nashville shows. Both artists have often described how theyre able to relate to one another because of the unique pressures they experience at their level of fame.
Swifts reps are known for protecting the singers brand, and Swift has historically been selective about when she speaks out, but she has used her platform to advocate for some progressive causes in recent years, such as endorsi
