This week I am desperately seeking some grace, ahead of what could be a very tricky topic to cover. Straight out of the gate, I think Ed Sheeran (whether we’re saying it’s his ‘team’ or him) handled this past week terribly. In not backing Macklemore, he made a statement, whether he wanted to or not, and in the days since, he seems to only be digging a deeper hole for himself. As a tiny influencer online, I have shared many political opinions over the years, and have suffered the wrath of the keyboard warriors who disagree with them. In recent years, I’ve been a little more careful. I’m aware I’m easy to find, my children spend time in the world without me.. there are a lot of weirdos out there. I pulled back on some of the hotter debates, out of fear more than anything. By nature, I have an opinion on just about everything, and putting the world to rights with someone who loves to debate is one of my favourite pastimes.. but that’s a small group activity. These people, even if they don’t know you well, can see you in front of them, they can question you, you can discuss points you disagree on. Taking a side in a public arena, addressing strangers who only know the caricature of you that sings songs.. that’s very different. I don’t think we can demand anyone share their personal belief system with us. You should be allowed to be an apolitical figure, if you so wish. Stepping out into that ring isn’t for everyone and if you know it’s not for you, fair! BUT.. in 2026, in the era of boycotting businesses and ultimate global awareness, that isn’t the safe choice it used to be. In choosing not to tell people how you feel about issues, they will either, a) decide for you, or b) decide that silence is as bad as being complicit. As the saying goes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. SO if, famously good guy, Ed Sheeran really wants to keep that status, it seems like he’s going to put on his big boy pants and make a real statement. What he said, reading from his teleprompter, at his first concert back, after every support act and his actual band left the tour, was weak. He’s still riding the fence. It’s giving, ‘good people on both sides’ and it’s not doing anything to fix his image. He’s obviously in a tough spot because he’s mid-tour and there are billionaires pressuring him to tow a certain line, but it’s not the billionaires who will be asked about this in every interview for the rest of their lives, it’s Ed. There’s an argument that Macklemore should never have used that moment to protest the conflict.. and, to a degree, I can see why people feel that way. Every contract I’ve ever signed has a clause to protect both me and the brand from being tarnished by any potential scandal. If I were to work with L’Oreal and then start posting #FREEPALESTINE across my socials.. they might see that as a problem. Not because they don’t agree, but because they want to maintain as much neutrality as possible, in order to reach the largest audience. It’s not personal, it’s just business. So when Macklemore did exactly that, there’s a world in which he broke his contractual agreement, and they were legally allowed to let him go. ..but I don’t think that’s what happened. If L’Oreal (I shouldn’t keep saying them.. let’s say LUSH, for ironic LOLS) ..if LUSH hired me and I was already posting #FREEPALESTINE all over my socials, they couldn’t very well terminate my contract when I did it again, could they? Macklemore was well known for his activism and, personally, I think Ed was absolutely cool with his set. I think most people were. But when it came to the money men throwing their weight around, a call had to be made, and they threw Macklemore under the bus. The thing is, that ‘just business’ excuse that used to make a lot of sense, and cover all manner of sins, doesn’t really fly anymore. Now, if you’re seen to be even slightly connected to someone a bit shady, that’s seen as your tacit endorsement of everything they stand for. Which reminds me, someone called me out for being a Zionist the other day for following Gwyneth Paltrow on Instagram.. and I didn’t even know I did. I don’t anymore, because the idea that that would give someone that impression was enough reason.. but I know people who HATE Donald Trump and follow him on Instagram.. it’s not a great indicator of politics. In case anyone wondered, or cared, I am the most left of the left.. but I am far too sensitive to face a lot of world news these days and, although I will happily tell you here that I think Israel are the bad guys in this movie, the last time I posted something in support of Palestine, I received not one but two death threats.. and I realise it’s a privilege to choose to remove myself from that conversation, but I did. I don’t think that thinking Israel are committing genocide is antisemitic, but I do think that a large number of people struggle to reconcile their (conscious or otherwise) Islamophobia with the issue in Gaza. You cannot convince me that, if Palestinians were white, they would have the support of more people. But that’s by the by, from my tiny experience, I can understand celebrities who sit on the fence, I really can. The fact Ed hadn’t said anything up to now was a non-issue.. but once you’re thrown into the fray, you have to pick a side. You just do. And, it shouldn’t be that hard. I actually think I’d have more respect for him if he’d doubled down and said he didn’t agree with what Macklemore said.. but you can’t have it all ways, you can’t say, ‘on the one side apples but on the other oranges’ and think you’ve made a statement. Because I think he knew what the set was going to be ahead of time, I really don’t have any sympathy for him. If he’d been truly blindsided and then put in this situation, I could find a little, but even then.. it feels like the only reason not to come out in agreement with his friend is money. Money that he would have to pay venues, money he might lose in future deals.. and that’s not a great look. As with so much, you’re entitled to live your life and share your views in any way you want, but there are consequences.. it’s a trade-off. People will decide who you are based on how you engage with what’s important to them and, in this case, I’m reminded of the immortal words of Ronan Keating, ‘You say it best, when you say nothing at all’. What do you think? Should he have been allowed to stay mum? Or do you think he should have taken a harder line? It’s an ethical dilemma.. one we each need to answer for ourselves.. unless we’re a global pop star and everyone will answer it for you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikhila.substack.com/subscribe
