Pink Seen After Macklemore Is Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour

Pink has been spotted for the first time since Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour, following her criticism of the rapper’s pro-Palestinian remarks.

In a statement released Monday, Macklemore claimed he was dropped from Sheeran’s U.S. tour dates because of comments he made onstage in support of Palestinians while opening for the singer in New Jersey earlier this month.

His statement came only days after Pink broke her silence by resharing a social media post that condemned Macklemore’s speech.

On Friday, the 47-year-old singer published an essay on Instagram that explained her reasoning for slamming Macklemore and clarified that she didn’t completely support the pro-Israel message of the original poster.

The 43-year-old rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, drew Pink’s criticism during his performances on September 4 and 5 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. As Sheeran’s opening act, he expressed support for Palestinians and denounced Israel’s ongoing military destruction in Gaza.

Our News Outlet contacted representatives for Pink, Macklemore and Sheeran for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Pink, whose real name is Alecia Moore-Hart, was photographed on her own in New York City on Tuesday morning.

The dispute began after she reshared an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism over the weekend. The organization criticized Macklemore’s performance and called on him to apologize to concert attendees.

“Awful — Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing last night in NJ, not to be ambushed by Macklemore’s anti-Israel propaganda,” StopAntisemitism wrote in the caption of its original post.

“Instead, Macklemore walked onstage in a keffiyeh, shouted ‘Free Palestine,’ accused Israel of a false ‘genocide,’ and turned a mainstream event into a political nightmare against the Jewish state. Concertgoers are owed apologies and refunds.”

Several days after her post sparked controversy, Pink addressed the issue directly on Friday. She also reshared a series of combative memes that appeared to respond to her critics.

“I’ve been quiet in my own words for a week, which you know isn’t like me. So here they are,” she began.

“Last Sunday I reposted somebody else’s post about Macklemore’s set at Ed Sheeran’s show. It said things in words I didn’t write, and I wouldn’t have chosen all of them,” Pink wrote beside a photograph of herself watching a sunset. “Then the comments came, and I did what I do when I’m hurt, which is post snarky memes and act like I’m fine. That’s on me.”

“A repost isn’t a statement, and a meme isn’t a spine. Social media makes all of us cheap and fast, and we all know it,” she continued. “But I’d rather be disagreed with for what I actually said than hated for what anybody else wrote, so let me say it.”

The singer declared: ‘I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it. And this week a whole lot of people decided what I believe without asking me, without checking a single thing I’ve ever said or done, because a repost and the word “Jew” were apparently enough to fill in the rest. But let me fill it in… myself.

Pink clarified that she doesn’t ‘speak for Israel, or for any government. I never have.’

She said her beliefs were the same as they were after Hamas attacked a music festival held on the border of the Gaza Strip, which has been occupied by Israel for nearly 60 years.   

‘Hamas is a terrorist organization. Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity and their aspirations. Protecting innocent life comes first, everywhere, and nobody should ever celebrate the death of a child. Anybody’s child,’ she reiterated. ‘I’ve spent a decade as a UNICEF ambassador for kids who didn’t choose the country or the war they were born into, and I have grieved every one of them, on both sides of that fence. I didn’t do it from behind a screen; I went to those children and held them. I’m not going to litigate a complex war in an Instagram caption, and I’m not going to recite anybody’s slogan to earn back a follower.’

Meanwhile, Sheeran is now at risk of being canceled as all four remaining opening acts on his tour have dropped out after Macklemore was kicked off.  

Sheeran, 35, addressed the rapper being removed from the tour with his own statement On Tuesday which read that Macklemore’s speech had upset the owners of venues they were set to play while reminding fans he will never personally take a publicly political stance. 

However, that response did not seem to be good enough as musician and Billie Eilish’s brother/music partner Finneas led the four remaining acts who put out separate statements announcing that they will not continue with their dates on the stadium Loop Tour.

The 25-year-old Los Angeles native wrote: ‘Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.

‘I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.’

Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga also put out statements on Instagram Tuesday announcing that they are pulling out of the remaining concert dates. 

Irish singer Rowe took a strong stance as he wrote: ‘Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life. I could never thank him enough for this.

‘But as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.’

The Hey Ma hitmaker continued by saying he ‘cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.’

The third support act who pulled out was the group Lukas Graham who wrote: ‘We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.’

Lukas Graham said that their upbringing in a small Denmark community made it so speaking your mind was part of everyday life and having more money did not invalidate one’s opinions.

Graham concluded by saying: ‘I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand.

‘I’m sorry we won’t be there. This is a difficult decision but it’s one I need to stand by.’

Lastly, Irish band Beoga, who actually join Sheeran during Galway Girl on stage, also revealed that they are removing themselves from the tour.

They wrote: ‘We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be.

‘Playing to those crowds every night is the stuff of dreams but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.’

Beoga also showed their solidarity for Macklemore as they echoed his sentiments by writing: ‘The whole episode is once again serving to distract from the real issue, over 1000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so-called ceasefire.’

Daily Mail has reached out to Sheeran’s representatives for comment on the four acts resigning from the tour and has yet to hear back.

It remains uncertain how the Loop Tour will proceed with zero openers scheduled and 18 dates still set through the end of the year. 

The four musical act statements came a day after Sheeran broke his silence regarding Macklemore being removed from his tour after his ‘Free Palestine’ speech upset the owners of venues they were set to play.

The singer, who is a father of two, said that his audience is often young people ‘from different backgrounds’, who do not expect his shows to be a political forum.

Sheeran assured his followers that Macklemore’s removal would not affect his tour, as he told them ‘I would never let down the fans who had made plans’.

In his reaction, which came two days after Macklemore’s own statement, he said: ‘I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. 

‘The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.

‘Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist. As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing.

‘After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting.’ 

Sheeran continued by explaining that he had tried to find a resolution so that Macklemore could remain on his tour but he was not able to.

He said: ‘I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.

‘One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.

‘Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.’

Sheeran then explained that there would be no alterations to the tour he has planned because he would never let his fans and crew down.

He said: ‘I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.

‘I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won’t ever change. Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome.

‘I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.

‘There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. 

‘I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change.

‘There are different approaches to being an advocate for change. I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.’

Sheeran captioned his post: ‘It’s important I set out some facts’. 

Macklemore released a statement on Monday after he was dropped over backlash sparked by the ‘Free Palestine‘ speech.

Responding with an Instagram statement after it was confirmed that he will not be the opening act for the remainder of the LOOP Tour, the rapper claimed Sheeran told him Robert Kraft orchestrated the move after ‘rallying stadium owners and issuing an ultimatum’.

The 43-year-old rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was due to open for Sheeran at eight of the remaining ten shows on his tour in America, which continues Friday in Philadelphia.

Macklemore had faced a boycott petition to remove him from the tour after he delivered a politically motivated speech in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank during his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.

In a statement on Instagram, Macklemore claimed that his long-term friend Sheeran had told him that Kraft personally called the singer to inform him that the rapper would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

Kraft is the billionaire CEO of the Kraft Group, which owns the Gillette stadium along with NFL team the New England Patriots. 

He wrote that ‘Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.’

In his 1,000 word statement the rapper went on to say that he did not blame Sheeran personally, writing that his friend was put in a ‘f***ed up position’.

‘He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,’ Macklemore continued. 

‘I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood. But he couldn’t get past his public facing, “I don’t take sides.” And I get why people don’t.’

‘Taking a side can cost you,’ Macklemore added. ‘Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.’

He noted that the pair had had ‘some difficult conversations this past week’ and he hoped that ‘this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.’

Kraft has defended his decision to block Macklemore from performing, saying the rapper ‘crossed a line’.

‘Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech,’ Kraft said in a statement.

‘Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line.’

The promoter for the American side of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, Messina Touring Group, said in a statement that they were told by venues of future dates on the tour that ‘they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup’.

‘Which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans,” a spokesperson continued to Rolling Stone. ‘After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.’  

As seen in fan-taken footage from his September 5 performance in New Jersey, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh at one point during his set and also performed his 2024 song Hind’s Hall with footage of Gaza on the massive screen behind him.

In the lyrics for Hind’s Hall the rapper criticises actions in Gaza. Proceeds from the song go toward humanitarian efforts from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. 

The full video from the performance shows Macklemore standing on stage and addressing 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 told the attendees.

‘I want those words to be loud and clear so that people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.’

He then introduced Hind’s Hall, stating that it ‘was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world. Opened up hearts, myself included.’

‘So thank you to those students that risked their diplomas, that risked their tuition, that risked their scholarships, that stood up and said, “No.” CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace. Thank you guys.’

He addressed the Jewish community, stating: ‘To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.’

‘My message is for peace. Love. For all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality. So I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon. I say free Cuba. I say free Congo, free Sudan, free all people in America living in fear over this terrorist organization ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.’ 

Macklemore went on to post a video of his speech on social media with the caption: ‘Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial’. 

The singer Pink weighed in on the controversy, reposting an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism, which slammed Macklemore’s performance.

The caption on the post read: ‘Awful – Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing last night in NJ, not to be ambushed by Macklemore’s anti-Israel propaganda.

‘Instead, Macklemore walked onstage in a keffiyeh, shouted “Free Palestine,” accused Israel of a false “genocide,” and turned a mainstream event into a political nightmare against the Jewish state. Concert-goers are owed apologies and refunds.’

In response, Macklemore appeared to double down on his comments last week, as he posted a clip of his speech from MetLife Stadium with the caption: ‘Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial’.

Pink did not add any additional commentary aside from re-sharing the post.

In 2014, Macklemore issued an apology after wearing a disguise on stage in Seattle that many condemned as an anti-Semitic Jewish caricature.

In his apology after the Jewish caricature controversy, he said: ‘There is no worse feeling than being misunderstood, especially when people are hurt or offended… I respect all cultures and all people. 

‘I would never intentionally put down anybody for the fabric that makes them who they are. I love human beings, love originality, and… happen to love a weird outfit from time to time.’

Macklemore added that he never thought he looked Jewish. ‘Some people there thought I looked like Ringo, some Abe Lincoln. If anything, I thought I looked like Humpty Hump with a bowl cut,’ he said.