Boy George defends Ed Sheeran in social media rant

PUBLISHED ONSeptember 18, 20268:07 AM

Boy George has claimed Ed Sheeran was right to get “rid” of Macklemore from his tour.

The 65-year-old pop star shared a rant on social media after being tricked into thinking an old clip of the singer-songwriter performing solo was a new video following the rapper’s departure from his US shows.

He wrote on X: “Well done to @edsheeran for going on stage with his guitar and proving that he can perform solo.

“I thought he was wrong not to speak out against the rapper hijacking his shows but he got rid of him and a bunch of spineless rats followed.

“All the usual subjects have popped up on TV to have their say. Each one more dumb than the last.

“Faithless Paloma telling us she whispers ‘free Palestine’ into her kids ears before they sleep. Now that’s radical!”

Ed’s Loop tour has been mired in controversy since Macklemore, 43, used his opening slot at a New Jersey gig earlier this month to lend his support to the people of Palestine.

He then revealed on Monday (Sept 15) that he had subsequently been removed from the line-up following an alleged backlash from venue owners.

The Bad Habits singer later released his own statement in which he insisted he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine”, stressed it was ultimately “the promoter’s decision” to axe Macklemore from the bill, and explained he doesn’t “use [his] professional platform for politics” because he wants to offer “safety and sanctuary” to fans of all backgrounds and beliefs, but he has faced widespread criticism.

Fans pointed out to Boy George that the video was in fact old footage, and Ed hasn’t been on stage since the backlash.

However, sarcastically told one person “Thanks for your deep important insight”.

After another user branded him a “dumba”, he replied: “Kiss my dumba!”

After Macklemore was dropped from the tour, other support acts including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, as well as Ed’s touring band Beoga, announced they were also stepping away and would no longer perform at any of the concerts.

The row started when Macklemore took to the stage to open Ed’s Loop Tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, and he told the crowd: “One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine. I said, Free Palestine!”

He later revealed he had been removed from the tour but insisted he didn’t blame Ed.

He wrote on Instagram: “I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth. Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour.”

Macklemore told how he had shared some “difficult conversations” with his “friend” Ed in recent days but insisted he doesn’t want to “tear down” the star’s character.

The Thrift Shop hitmaker also claimed Robert Kraft — the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium — left Ed in a “f* up position” in terms of his position on the tour.

Macklemore challenged Kraft to match a $1 million (S$1.28 million) donation to charities providing aid for Palestinian people.

The sports mogul later claimed Ed had already asked him to match a US$2 million donation.

He wrote: “Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit US$2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.

“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

celebritiessingersrappermusicPalestineGaza