KATSEYE has been drawn into the growing controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran and Macklemore after all five members of the global girl group were reported to have unfollowed Sheeran on Instagram.
Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan and Yoonchae were reported to have stopped following the British singer around 15 September, just as the fallout surrounding Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's Loop Tour was escalating. The timing has prompted fans to question whether the social-media move is connected to the controversy, although KATSEYE has not publicly explained it.
The development has attracted particular attention because Sheeran is not simply an acquaintance of the group. He co-wrote KATSEYE's recent single 'Animal', which was released on 24 July and features on the group's third EP, WILD.
Why the Unfollow Has Raised Eyebrows
The reported unfollows have become more intriguing because of KATSEYE's apparent social-media activity around Macklemore.
Reports have said Lara and Megan liked a post from the rapper following his removal from the tour, while Lara followed him. Those interactions have added fuel to online speculation that the KATSEYE members' decision to unfollow Sheeran may be linked to the dispute.
However, the group has not said that is the reason behind the move, leaving fans to interpret the timing and social-media activity for themselves.
Ed Sheeran's Connection to 'Animal'
Sheeran's involvement with 'Animal' makes the apparent split particularly notable.
The song was released by KATSEYE on 24 July as a pre-release track from WILD, which followed on 14 August. Universal Music confirmed Sheeran as a co-writer on the track, with Blake Slatkin among its producers.
Sheeran previously explained that he discovered KATSEYE after hearing their song 'Gnarly' and reached out because he wanted to write for the group.
Behind-the-scenes footage showed Sheeran working on 'Animal' before KATSEYE recorded their vocals, giving the collaboration a direct creative connection rather than simply a songwriting credit.
That history makes the reported Instagram unfollows especially eye-catching: Sheeran helped create one of the group's most recent releases, yet the five members now apparently no longer follow him.
What Happened With Macklemore?
The controversy centres on Macklemore's appearances as a support act on Sheeran's Loop Tour.
During performances at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September, Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks from the stage, including saying 'Free Palestine' and referencing the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
On 14 September, it was announced that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining US dates. The Messina Touring Group, which promoted the US leg, said venues had communicated that they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup.
Sheeran subsequently said the decision was made by the promoter and venues rather than by him, adding that he had spent the week attempting to resolve the situation.
The fallout widened further when other scheduled support acts — Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham — withdrew from the remaining dates.
Why KATSEYE Is Now Part of the Story
KATSEYE's reported Instagram activity has added another layer to an already complicated dispute.
The group has a recent creative relationship with Sheeran through 'Animal', while Lara and Megan have been reported to have engaged with Macklemore's post following his removal. That combination has naturally encouraged fans to connect the events.
For now, though, the reason for the unfollows remains undisclosed.
The timing is what has made the development so striking. Within weeks of releasing a song co-written by Sheeran, all five KATSEYE members were reported to have unfollowed him as the Macklemore controversy intensified.
Whether the move proves to be a brief social-media reshuffle or reflects a bigger change in the relationship between the artists remains to be seen.
