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Pink was never connected to Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. She was not part of the lineup and had rarely spoken publicly about Macklemore or Sheeran before the tour became embroiled in controversy. Now, however, the singer has become a central figure after publicly supporting demands for Macklemore to be removed from the bill. Here’s how the dispute unfolded.
Pink had no involvement with Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour and was not present when the controversy began. Her name entered the story only after she endorsed calls to remove rapper Macklemore from the tour. The dispute started with remarks Macklemore made during an opening performance in New Jersey.
What is the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy about?
The incident took place earlier this month at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. During his set, Macklemore spoke in support of Palestine, telling concertgoers that one reason he accepted the tour was to say “Free Palestine” in stadiums throughout the United States. He also said he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten before performing his protest track “Hind’s Hall” as images from Gaza appeared on screen.
Macklemore was removed from the tour less than two weeks later. Promoter Messina Touring Group said the shows could not proceed with him scheduled to perform. Macklemore later claimed that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured other stadium owners to issue Sheeran an ultimatum: remove the rapper or risk losing the venues. Neither Sheeran nor representatives for Kraft has publicly verified that account.
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The decision triggered a wider backlash. Other opening performers, along with members of Sheeran’s band, reportedly pulled out in protest. Sheeran has maintained that the choice was made by the promoter rather than by him, adding that he does not want to be pulled into a public political fight. The singer has also expressed opposition to incorporating politics into his music for years.
How did Pink get involved?
Although Pink had no role in the tour and did not attend the performances at the center of the dispute, she addressed the issue on Instagram. Soon after the MetLife shows, she reposted a statement from StopAntisemitism criticizing Macklemore’s comments and urging tour organizers to remove him. The post accused him of subjecting fans to anti-Israel messaging, rejected allegations that Israel is committing genocide, and called for both an apology and ticket refunds.
Pink’s post quickly drew criticism from people who said she was supporting an attempt to silence Macklemore for speaking on behalf of Palestinians. Her social media comments filled with angry responses. More than a week later, she published a lengthy explanation, saying Macklemore’s remarks were deeply alarming to her as a Jewish woman. She also acknowledged that the original post included wording she would not have used herself, though her clarification did little to ease the backlash.
The controversy continued to follow Pink. According to The Independent, actor Javier Bardem promoted a Change.org petition seeking her removal as a UNICEF ambassador, a position she has held since 2015. At press time, the petition had gathered more than 180,000 signatures.