Hannah Einbinder has publicly wished Ed Sheeran a painful sunburn amid the escalating fallout from his tour losing all three supporting acts.
The “Hacks” star, 29, took to Instagram Stories this week to target the British singer-songwriter, 33, after Macklemore, Aaron Rowe and Finneas each withdrew from Sheeran’s ongoing Loop Tour. Einbinder, herself a redhead, shared a post noting Sheeran’s reported $400 million net worth before delivering her pointed message.
“Ed Sheeran, I say this as a ginger. I hope you get a REALLY bad sun burn, the kind on the back of your entire body where it hurts to lie down or walk or sit,” she wrote on the platform.
The cascade of departures began when Macklemore, 43, was removed from the tour following his public support of Palestine and remarks about the devastation in Gaza. Messina Touring Group confirmed that multiple venues had threatened to cancel upcoming dates if the rapper remained on the bill.
Sheeran addressed the controversy in a statement Tuesday, September 15, defending his decision to prioritize the tour’s continuation over taking a political stand. The “Bad Habits” singer framed his position as protecting his diverse audience and preserving jobs for his crew.
“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,” he said in the statement.
Sheeran continued: “There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds.”
The Grammy winner maintained that the ultimate call to drop Macklemore came from his promoter, not himself, and that he had spent the prior week attempting to negotiate with resistant venues.
“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 explained. “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.”
He added: “I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.”
Sheeran emphasized his obligation to fans and workers, stating, “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.”
Macklemore had previously pushed back against Sheeran’s framing in his own lengthy statement, accusing the headliner of hiding behind an “apolitical stance” to protect his commercial interests.
“He couldn’t get past his public facing: I don’t take sides,” the “Thrift Shop” rapper wrote. “And I get why people don’t. Taking a side can cost you. 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.”
Macklemore concluded his rebuttal with a direct challenge to Sheeran’s positioning: “When one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle.”
The controversy has drawn commentary beyond Einbinder, with Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters also attacking Sheeran in a video message, calling him a “little p—k” over the Macklemore decision.
Rowe and Finneas, the remaining opening acts, subsequently exited the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, leaving Sheeran without any supporting performers for the remainder of his U.S. Dates.
