Ed Sheeran protegees Katseye UNFOLLOW star... days after Macklemore was dropped from his tour over Free Palestine remarks

In a notable development within Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour saga, the British singer-songwriter's proteges, the girl group Katseye, have severed their social media connection by unfollowing Sheeran on Instagram. This action comes shortly after Macklemore, initially slated as an opening act, was removed from the tour following his outspoken pro-Palestinian statements.

Fans observed that several members of Katseye, including Megan Skiendiel, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Yoonchae, and others, no longer appeared among Sheeran’s followers. The group’s public distancing aligns with a broader exodus of Sheeran’s opening acts, who have collectively withdrawn from the tour amid growing controversy.

Katseye's ties to Sheeran involve a recent collaboration: the singer co-wrote their single “Animal,” released in July 2025. Despite this professional link, the group’s members have shown support for Macklemore by engaging with his Instagram posts that disclosed his removal from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s tour. Notably, Lara Raj began following Macklemore on Instagram soon after the news.

Macklemore’s dismissal from the tour followed his public declarations advocating for Palestinian rights during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. His speeches included wearing a keffiyeh and performing “Hind’s Hall,” a song with proceeds benefiting Palestinian aid organizations. Macklemore pledged to donate his entire net earnings from the Loop Tour to six groups providing humanitarian assistance in Palestinian territories.

Despite the backlash and his removal, Macklemore has remained steadfast in his activism. He publicly challenged billionaire Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium where Sheeran was scheduled to perform, accusing him of influencing the decision to drop Macklemore. Macklemore invited Kraft to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian aid, to which Kraft responded by committing to a $2 million contribution alongside Sheeran.

The fallout from Macklemore’s removal has been significant for Sheeran's tour. Besides Katseye, all other opening acts, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Myles Smith, and Beoga, have withdrawn their participation. Many cited solidarity with Palestine and opposition to the silencing of artists who speak on political matters as reasons for their exit.

Sheeran addressed the controversy with a statement emphasizing his role as an entertainer rather than a political figure. He noted that venue owners had threatened to cancel upcoming shows if Macklemore continued to perform, leading to the difficult decision to remove him. Sheeran expressed his dismay over the Israel-Palestine conflict but affirmed his commitment to his audience and the continuation of the tour.

Robert Kraft defended the decision to ban Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, referencing concerns over what he described as antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that could be offensive to the Jewish community. The promoter for the American leg of the Loop Tour confirmed that venue pressure made Macklemore’s continued presence untenable.

The controversy has ignited debates about freedom of speech and the role of artists in political discourse, with social media reflecting divided opinions on the matter. Some fans have called for Katseye to further distance themselves from Sheeran by removing his co-written song from their live performances and streaming platforms.

As the Loop Tour moves forward without any opening acts, the future structure and reception of the tour remain uncertain. The situation highlights the complex intersection of music, activism, and commercial considerations in the contemporary entertainment landscape.

Details about Katseye’s future collaborations or official position regarding the controversy remain limited as representatives for both the group and Ed Sheeran have not issued further comments. The evolving scenario continues to underscore how political expressions by artists can have profound ripple effects on collaborative relationships and tour dynamics.