'Wicked' Star Marissa Bode Uses Ed Sheeran Lyric To Criticise Him After Macklemore's Tour Exit

Marissa Bode criticised Ed Sheeran on TikTok on Tuesday, 15 September, after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran's LOOP Tour.

The Wicked actress adapted a lyric from 'Thinking Out Loud' while criticising Sheeran over the dispute.

Macklemore had appeared at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 4 and 5 September.

During the 4 September show, he said 'Free Palestine' while performing as a special guest on Sheeran's tour. MetLife Stadium listed Macklemore among the guests for both dates.

Macklemore later said the venue owners objected to his continued involvement. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that multiple venues would not host concerts with him on the bill.

Sheeran said the promoter, not he, made the decision to remove Macklemore. He said Macklemore's contract was with the promoter and that he had spent the week speaking with venues, promoters and activists.

Marissa Bode Uses 'Thinking Out Loud' Against Sheeran

Bode addressed Sheeran directly in a TikTok video posted on Tuesday. She reworked the opening idea of his 2014 hit 'Thinking Out Loud' by referring to her own disability.

'Ed Sheeran, my legs may not work like they used to before, but at least I have a f**g spine. Free Palestine, bh!' Bode said.

Bode played Nessarose Thropp in Wicked and Wicked: For Good. She began using a wheelchair after a car accident when she was 11.

Her criticism focused on Sheeran even though the singer said he did not make the final decision. Sheeran said venues on upcoming dates had warned they would pull shows if Macklemore remained as support.

He said they told him their objection concerned how part of Macklemore's message had been conveyed during his performance. Sheeran added that he spoke with venues 'at length' while trying to 'build a bridge.'

Sheeran also said his concerts were intended to be spaces of 'unity, joy, escapism.' He said he respected Macklemore's commitment to his views but preferred to keep his own shows away from political messaging.

Marissa Bode Joins Wider Macklemore Tour Fallout

The dispute widened after other musicians left Sheeran's tour. Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe withdrew from scheduled support slots, while Irish group Beoga left as Sheeran's backing band.

Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking for people they believe are oppressed. Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga also issued statements supporting Macklemore.

Other artists backed the rapper online. Kehlani wrote beneath Macklemore's statement that venue owners were 'rallied together this way' and said she was behind him.

Paloma Faith also praised Macklemore, calling him 'a rare and important voice.' Their responses added to criticism of the decision from within the music industry.

The public also criticised Macklemore's stage presentation. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, said Gillette Stadium would not host him.

Kraft said his objection concerned Macklemore's stage material and what he characterised as a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. He also said his position was not intended to dismiss Palestinian suffering or advocacy.

Macklemore has disputed accusations of antisemitism and continued to defend his pro-Palestinian advocacy. He also alleged that Kraft had encouraged other venue owners to oppose his participation.

That specific allegation has not been independently established. What is confirmed is that multiple venues objected to Macklemore remaining on the bill, and Messina Touring Group said it removed him after discussions with stakeholders.

Bode's TikTok did not address the contractual or venue negotiations. Her criticism focused on Sheeran's role in the wider dispute and his public response to Macklemore's removal.