Ed Sheeran has hit back at reports claiming he attended J.K. Rowling’s New Year’s Eve party, labelling the stories “divisive and damaging.”
The backlash began when broadcaster India Willoughby shared a screenshot on X/Twitter of a Jerusalem Post article titled ‘How Ed Sheeran brought joy to wounded IDF [Israel Defence Force] soldiers.’
Willoughby captioned the post: “Ed Sheeran reportedly went to JK Rowling’s New Year’s Eve party, too.”
Sheeran wasted no time responding. Taking to his Instagram Stories, he directly addressed the claims, writing: “Respectfully, India Willoughby, and any other journalist who has reported both these stories, neither are true.”
The singer-songwriter clarified his whereabouts over the holiday period, explaining: “I spent New Year with my family and friends.”
He also addressed the report about his alleged involvement with wounded IDF soldiers, providing further context.
“The story about wounded soldiers at my show was a charity that sourced tickets to my show in Cyprus last year, which was a large-scale public concert,” Sheeran explained, dispelling any suggestion of personal or political involvement.
The Grammy winner didn’t hold back on his frustration, calling out the harm caused by such allegations. “This sort of reporting is divisive and damaging, please research before you post things,” he urged.
A report linking Sheeran to Rowling’s New Year’s Eve party has disappeared from The Sun's original article, People reports.
Willoughby then responded to Sheeran’s public denial. “Great to hear you didn’t go!” she wrote on X/Twitter. Defending her initial post, she clarified, “I used the word ‘reportedly,’” explaining the claim had been “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,” she continued. “Delighted to hear you didn’t go!.”
The row has reignited attention on Rowling’s controversial stance on transgender issues. Willoughby, herself a transgender broadcaster, previously reported Rowling to police for misgendering her online—a complaint that was ultimately dismissed for failing to meet the “criminal threshold” as per The Independent.
Rowling’s response to the incident was characteristically biting. Referring to Willoughby directly, she wrote on X/Twitter: “India didn’t become a woman. India is cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy of what a woman is.”
From questioning trans women’s access to changing rooms to challenging Scottish hate crime legislation, Rowling has frequently waded into politically charged debates. She’s faced criticism from Harry Potter stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, backlash from fans, and even legal action from Olympic boxer Imane Khelif.
Despite the ongoing controversies, Rowling’s influence remains undeniable. Warner Bros. has confirmed that she will remain “fairly involved” in the upcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation, a decision that has sparked disappointment among fans who object to her views.
