@marissarioEd Sheeran is finally addressing the Macklemore situation, and he is making it clear the promoter made the call, not him. His reaction to the conflict itself comes first: he says he is shocked by what is happening between Israel and Palestine, that the suffering and pain on both sides is a human tragedy, and that there are too many wars causing immeasurable pain around the world, none of which should be tolerated. On how Macklemore ended up on the tour, Ed says Macklemore asked him to join last year and he accepted because he respects him as an artist. He also agrees that artists should make a setlist of their own choosing, just like in all the support he has given. Then the breaking point: after Macklemore performed at Ed's shows in New Jersey, the venues where Ed would perform on his next tour told him they would cancel the shows if they kept supporting Macklemore. Ed says he was told this was about how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during the performance, not about everything that was said. Ed spent the whole week talking at length with the venues trying to build a bridge. One of the people he spoke with was Robert Kraft. He also had direct conversations with promoters and activists from both sides to try to find a solution acceptable to everyone, but the venue's and promoter's decision was final. Macklemore leaving the tour was a decision by the promoter, not Ed. And Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not with Ed. As for why Ed is continuing, he says he would never disappoint fans who had made their plans, nor abandon the tour team and the other artists and musicians who depend on him to work and earn a living. He says he has always used his platform and his music to bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together, and that will never change. Anyone who has been to one of his shows knows they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a space where everyone can feel welcome. He is not complicit. He has his own opinions on this devastating conflict. Choosing not to speak publicly does not mean he has no opinions, does not mean he does not care, and does not mean he does not support causes in his own way, personally. There is a reason he does not use his professional platform to talk about politics: his audience includes young people, often children, from all backgrounds, and people who go to his shows do not expect a political forum. He respects Macklemore's strength and determination to take a stand and defend what he believes in. But he believes there is room for different approaches in seeking the same goal: peace. He chooses to use his fame and his platform as a place of safety and refuge, to keep diplomacy and conversations open, and not to shut them down. If we focus only on shouting louder, nothing will change. There are different ways to advocate for change. He spent this week trying to build bridges, find a solution, and unfortunately, he could not. He knows who he is, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know his heart also know his values.

@marissarioEd Sheeran is finally addressing the Macklemore situation, and he is making it clear the promoter made the call, not him. His reaction to the conflict itself comes first: he says he is shocked by what is happening between Israel and Palestine, that the suffering and pain on both sides is a human tragedy, and that there are too many wars causing immeasurable pain around the world, none of which should be tolerated. On how Macklemore ended up on the tour, Ed says Macklemore asked him to join last year and he accepted because he respects him as an artist. He also agrees that artists should make a setlist of their own choosing, just like in all the support he has given. Then the breaking point: after Macklemore performed at Ed's shows in New Jersey, the venues where Ed would perform on his next tour told him they would cancel the shows if they kept supporting Macklemore. Ed says he was told this was about how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during the performance, not about everything that was said. Ed spent the whole week talking at length with the venues trying to build a bridge. One of the people he spoke with was Robert Kraft. He also had direct conversations with promoters and activists from both sides to try to find a solution acceptable to everyone, but the venue's and promoter's decision was final. Macklemore leaving the tour was a decision by the promoter, not Ed. And Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not with Ed. As for why Ed is continuing, he says he would never disappoint fans who had made their plans, nor abandon the tour team and the other artists and musicians who depend on him to work and earn a living. He says he has always used his platform and his music to bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together, and that will never change. Anyone who has been to one of his shows knows they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a space where everyone can feel welcome. He is not complicit. He has his own opinions on this devastating conflict. Choosing not to speak publicly does not mean he has no opinions, does not mean he does not care, and does not mean he does not support causes in his own way, personally. There is a reason he does not use his professional platform to talk about politics: his audience includes young people, often children, from all backgrounds, and people who go to his shows do not expect a political forum. He respects Macklemore's strength and determination to take a stand and defend what he believes in. But he believes there is room for different approaches in seeking the same goal: peace. He chooses to use his fame and his platform as a place of safety and refuge, to keep diplomacy and conversations open, and not to shut them down. If we focus only on shouting louder, nothing will change. There are different ways to advocate for change. He spent this week trying to build bridges, find a solution, and unfortunately, he could not. He knows who he is, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know his heart also know his values.