Katseye unfollows Ed Sheeran on Instagram as Gaza row widens

Girl group Katseye perform during the The Wildworld Tour at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on September 11, 2026. — AFP pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 18 Sep 2026 10:45 AM MYT

SEOUL, Sept 18 — Members of global girl group Katseye have unfollowed Ed Sheeran on Instagram as the fallout over rapper Macklemore’s removal from the British singer’s Loop tour continues to spread.

The Korea Herald reported that fans noticed on Tuesday that Katseye members Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan and Yoonchae had all stopped following Sheeran, while Lara and Megan also liked a post Macklemore shared after he was dropped from the tour and Lara began following him on Instagram.

Sheeran co-wrote Katseye’s third EP, Animal, which was released in July, after becoming a fan of the group and reaching out to collaborate following the release of their 2025 single Gnarly.

The decision has prompted mixed reactions among fans, with some supporting the members while others argued that the group should go further and remove Animal from future setlists.

Macklemore was dropped from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour after expressing support for Palestinians during his opening performance in New Jersey on September 5.

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group subsequently announced that the rapper would no longer perform on the remaining dates.

Macklemore has said neither he nor Sheeran is a victim of the situation and described the British singer as his friend, while saying Sheeran’s “typical apolitical stance” had been challenged in a way it never had before.

The controversy has also drawn attention from environmental activist Greta Thunberg and celebrities including Kehlani, Zara Larsson, Florence Pugh and Nicola Coughlan, who either liked or commented on Macklemore’s posts.

Meanwhile, four other opening acts — Finneas O’Connell, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham — said on Wednesday that they would not perform on the tour.

The Loop tour is scheduled to resume on Saturday in Philadelphia.