Ed Sheeran denies claims that he performed for wounded IDF soldiers
British singer Ed Sheeran slammed claims that he performed for the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) or that he attended JK Rowling’s New Year’s Eve party at the author’s estate.
Sheeran’s statement on his Instagram story came after British broadcaster India Willoughby shared a headline that read, “How Ed Sheeran brought joy to wounded IDF soldiers”. Willoughby added, “Ed Sheeran reportedly went to JK Rowling’s New Year’s Eve party too.”
The ‘Shape of You’ singer denied the claims and said, “Respectfully, India Willoughby and any other journalist who has reported both these stories, neither are true”.
Sheeran clarified that he spent New Year’s with his family and friends. Regarding claims that he performed for the IDF, he said a charity sourced tickets to his show in Cyprus last year, which was a large scale public concert.
“This sort of reporting is [divisive] and damaging. Please research before you post things.”
Sheeran performed in Larnaca, Cyprus last September, with the concert drawing a record-breaking crowd of 45,000 people, Buzzfeed reported. The Jerusalem Post article that Willoughby shared corroborated the singer’s statement and said 180 IDF soldiers and young adults were taken to the concert by Israeli charity OneFamily.
Meanwhile, the backlash for the rumour that he attended Rowling’s party stems from the Harry Potter author’s transphobia, which she often vocalises on X (formerly Twitter).
After Sheeran’s statement, Willoughby said the news was great to hear.
“I used the word ‘reportedly’ about JK Rowling’s NYE party, because it was widely reported by UK and international media at the time. I also reached out directly to you in the first [week] of Jan via Twitter to ask if the story was correct — but no reply. Delighted to hear you didn’t go!”
In a second tweet, she said, “I appreciate the bulk of Twitter users now only read the bits they want, but you should read the facts. I said ‘reportedly’ because the type of right-wing trashy papers most of you love and DO believe DID report it. I also DID reach out to Ed at the time — but no reply. I remain an Ed Sheeran fan.”
Comments