Rosie O’Donnell has criticized Ed Sheeran over Macklemore’s removal from the singer’s U.S. tour. During an appearance on The Late Late Show, O’Donnell said Sheeran “made a very bad mistake.” She also praised Macklemore for speaking out in support of Palestinians.
Rosie O’Donnell made her feelings about Ed Sheeran clear
O’Donnell discussed the controversy with Irish host Patrick Kielty after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour. The tour promoter said venues would not allow shows with Macklemore on the lineup, which led to his removal from the remaining dates, as per Radar Online. Sheeran later said the decision was not his and that he had tried to find a solution.
However, O’Donnell placed the blame on Sheeran and Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium. She also said she supports Macklemore’s position.
Rosie said, “The fact that Ed Sheeran hired Macklemore, knowing who Macklemore is, that he has been a staunch proponent of the ending of this genocide, and of the freedom for the Palestinian people, which I believe myself as well, and I stand beside him in solidarity as so many artists do.”
She added, “But he was brave and bold before anyone else was. And I admire him for that and for his courage, and I think Ed Sheeran made a really bad mistake.”
Rosie further said, “And he will come to understand the ramifications of siding with a billionaire elite and supporting genocide rather than the people who are saying, ‘This is wrong. We will not stand for it.’” And she concluded, “We are human beings and each human life matters, and that’s the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, Macklemore was removed from the tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during his September 4 and 5 performances at MetLife Stadium. The rapper performed “Hind’s Hall” and said, “I say Free Palestine. I say Free Lebanon. Free Cuba to the Congo to Sudan to Iran.” The tour promoter later confirmed that venues had objected to having Macklemore on the lineup.
Sheeran later said the decision was not his and that he had tried to find a solution. “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so,” he said.
Meanwhile, O’Donnell also discussed her ongoing feud with Donald Trump and her life after moving to Ireland in January 2025.
