Ed Sheeran Loses Nearly 500,000 Instagram Followers as Macklemore Tour Scandal Deepens

Singer Ed Sheeran has lost nearly 500,000 Instagram followers in the space of a week as the fallout over Macklemore's removal from his Loop Tour continues to engulf the British singer.

The sharp decline began around the time Sheeran publicly addressed the rapper's departure from his US tour, with hundreds of thousands of accounts unfollowing him over several days. The social media losses came as other supporting acts withdrew, protesters appeared outside a concert and Sheeran acknowledged that he had made 'mistakes' while navigating the controversy.

Ed Sheeran's Instagram Loses Nearly 500,000 Followers

According to Social Blade data, Sheeran lost nearly 150,000 Instagram followers on 15 September, the day he first addressed Macklemore's removal.

Another roughly 150,000 accounts unfollowed the 'Shape of You' singer the following day, followed by approximately 98,000 more a day later.

By 23 September, Sheeran's Instagram account stood at around 47.2 million followers, down nearly half a million in about a week.

The timing of the decline coincided with the Macklemore controversy, although the available data does not establish why individual users decided to unfollow Sheeran.

Macklemore's Loop Tour Removal Sparks Backlash

The dispute erupted after Macklemore made pro-Palestine comments while opening for Sheeran during his US Loop Tour.

Macklemore claimed Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, personally contacted Sheeran and said the rapper would not be permitted to perform at the Massachusetts venue.

Sheeran later said Macklemore's removal was 'the promoter's decision,' explaining that the rapper's contract was with the promoter rather than directly with him.

The fallout quickly spread beyond the two musicians. Other supporting acts withdrew from the tour, while protesters gathered outside Sheeran's first concert following Macklemore's departure.

Ed Sheeran Admits He Is 'Making Mistakes'

Sheeran addressed the escalating controversy during his 19 September concert in Philadelphia, reading a prepared statement to the audience.

'I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes,' he said, before apologising to disappointed fans.

Sheeran also addressed the Israel-Gaza war, describing the 7 October attack in Israel as 'horrific' while calling the situation in Gaza 'catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.'

He said he was heartbroken by the scale of civilian deaths, including the loss of children's lives, and added that the 'systemic injustice' unfolding in the West Bank could not be overlooked.

Sting, Charlotte Church React to Sheeran Controversy

The controversy has also drawn reactions from fellow musicians. Sting described Sheeran as being in 'a difficult dilemma,' while Charlotte Church delivered a much harsher assessment during one of her performances, accusing the singer of choosing 'consumerism and capitalism' over 'doing the right thing.'

Saturday Night Live UK also referenced the controversy in a sketch portraying Sheeran as reluctant to take sides.

Macklemore Pledges $1 Million to Palestinian Aid

Macklemore has since pledged $1 million (around £755,000) in net earnings from his appearances on Sheeran's tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.

He also challenged Kraft to match the amount.

Kraft subsequently said Sheeran had asked him to match the British singer's own $2 million (£1.5 million) humanitarian donation. Kraft later announced a $2 million contribution towards humanitarian aid for Palestinians.