Ed Sheeran’s Cousin Says He’s “Ashamed” of Him and Calls Him a “Coward” as the Macklemore Fallout Turns into a Family Feud

The public dispute involving Ed Sheeran has deepened in recent weeks, expanding beyond professional controversies to reveal tensions within his own family. Jethro Sheeran, Ed’s 44-year-old cousin, has taken to social media to express severe criticism toward the singer, marking a rare and public airing of personal grievances.

Jethro Sheeran’s online remarks conveyed a strong sense of disappointment and disillusionment with Ed, whom he accused of selfishness and deceit. He claimed that their relationship, once collaborative during their youth, deteriorated notably as Ed’s career ascended. The cousins had co-created music during school holidays, including a track titled “Raise Em Up,” which was featured in the 2013 film All Stars. Jethro later produced a remix that included Ed’s name and likeness, intending to support his daughter’s emerging music aspirations. However, legal warnings from Warner Music reportedly forced Jethro to retract references to Ed, contributing to further friction.

This familial discord has coincided with a broader public controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s recent US tour. The catalyst for this turbulence was the removal of rapper Macklemore from the tour’s American leg following his outspoken political statements during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in early September 2023. Specifically, Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” message sparked backlash, and a resurfaced image from 2014, portraying the rapper in controversial disguise, reignited accusations of antisemitic insensitivity.

Following Macklemore’s departure, several other opening acts withdrew from the tour in solidarity. Ed Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter and not by him personally. He cited warnings from venues that threatened cancellations if Macklemore remained on the lineup as the driving factor behind the promoter’s action. Ed emphasized his commitment to continuing the tour out of respect for fans who had planned to attend and for the livelihood of his crew and supporting musicians.

The origins of the family dispute predate the current tour conflict, with Jethro’s grievances centered on personal past interactions rather than the recent professional fallout. Nonetheless, the timing of his public denunciation has intensified scrutiny and interest in the Sheeran family dynamic amid the ongoing tour drama.

While the full details of the legal disputes and personal disagreements remain sparse, the revelations provide an uncommon glimpse into the challenges that can lie behind the scenes of a high-profile artist’s career. The intersection of personal relationships and public controversies has complicated Ed Sheeran’s current narrative, merging private family conflict with professional turbulence.

As the tour continues, the situation underscores the complexities artists face when their personal and public lives intertwine, particularly when political expression and family loyalties collide. Observers and fans alike are left to consider how these multifaceted tensions might influence Ed Sheeran’s career trajectory and public image moving forward.

At present, Ed Sheeran has not publicly addressed the specific accusations made by his cousin, and details about the legal aspects involving the remix and image use remain limited. The evolving story highlights the broader challenges within the music industry where artistic collaboration, familial connections, and commercial interests often intersect unpredictably.