Ed Sheeran has been branded a bad person and a coward by his cousin Jethro Sheeran after a public row over his Loop stadium tour.
The stinging criticism follows days of controversy for the 35-year-old British singer, who faced intense backlash after American rapper Macklemore was removed from his global tour lineup over comments supporting Palestine.
Jethro Sheeran, who performs under the stage name Alonestar, shared a lengthy rebuke on social media describing his cousin as a bad person. He wrote that everything was finally coming to light and said he felt ashamed of the singer and what he had done.
The rapper declared that the world and all the singer's fans had finally seen him for who he was. He added that he did not like his cousin's music, stating that he could not consider him to be a good artist.
Allegations of cruelty and sabotage
Jethro Sheeran claimed he had known the pop star his entire life and helped launch his music career. He said he introduced his cousin to music, welcomed him onto his own stage, took him to his first recording studio, and featured as a rapper on his early songs.
He also stated that he had done everything possible to support the future stadium star during his youth, including helping him when he was the victim of bullying at school.
However, the cousin claimed the singer later turned against him. He described the pop star as a selfish individual with malicious and cunning attitudes, claiming his cousin habitually hides his true nature by killing people with kindness.
He accused his blood relative of harming him directly, alleging that the singer mocked his personal mental health and mental health in general. He also claimed the performer prevented him from feeding his daughter by removing all of his songs from music platforms.
According to the musician, his lawyer showed him official documentation from record label Warner proving that the removal of his music had been entirely orchestrated by his cousin.
The cousin also alleged that the singer behind the hit Photograph created false, calculated narratives to please everyone. He said those calculated storylines were designed solely to secure lucrative private concert bookings and maintain commercial brand contracts.
Family disavowal and cowardice claims
Jethro Sheeran stated that he agreed with the negative comments and damaged reputation his cousin had recently received. He insisted he was one hundred percent sure the singer was a coward, warning the public that the chart-topping artist was calculating and cruel.
The rapper went on to disown the singer from their shared heritage, stating that he was not a real Sheeran. He urged fans not to hate the Sheeran family because of what he described as a silly little boy, adding that he had the courage to tell the truth.
Social media drop and tour backlash
The family dispute comes as the singer faces mounting commercial fallout. Following the controversy, his social media follower numbers have plummeted, tour organisers have moved to reinforce venue security, and secondary ticket prices for his shows have dropped sharply.
The wider crisis began when Macklemore was dismissed from the Loop tour after voicing support for Palestine during a concert in New Jersey. On September 4, the rapper and pop singer Pink appeared on stage at MetLife Stadium and delivered a speech calling for peace in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Macklemore fallout and Robert Kraft
On Monday, September 14, Macklemore published an extensive statement detailing the backstage events surrounding his exit. The songwriter stressed that none of the industry figures involved were victims, urging the public not to look away from the Palestinian people, whom he described as the true victims of the conflict.
Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft, the prominent NFL business figure and owner of the New England Patriots, had influenced his removal from the tour. The American artist criticised Sheeran's apolitical stance, though he acknowledged that taking a side carries heavy commercial costs, affecting partners, investors, festivals, and access.
Ed Sheeran denies firing decision
Ed Sheeran responded to the row on Tuesday, September 15, asserting that the decision to dismiss the opening act was not his. Defending his character, the singer declared that he knows who he is and denied responsibility for the firing.
He explained that he had spent an entire week talking extensively with venues in an effort to build bridges. He noted that he spoke directly with Robert Kraft, as well as tour producers and activists on both sides, but stated that the venues and producer made the final decision.
Loop Tour schedule and Brazil concerts
The singer is currently on the North American leg of The Loop Tour, which concludes on November 7 with a concert in Tampa, Florida. He will then embark on an eight-show run across Latin America, visiting Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil.
In Brazil, Sheeran is scheduled to play two dates at Nubank Parque in São Paulo on December 5 and December 6. Singer and producer Finneas was originally announced as the opening act, though no replacement has been confirmed yet.
Tickets for the first São Paulo show have sold out, but tickets for the extra date remain on sale through Eventim. Prices range from 220 Brazilian reais for a half-price upper tier seat to 880 Brazilian reais for a full-price premium floor ticket.
