Whether you love his music or think it's overhyped, everyone and their mother knows who Ed Sheeran is.
The English-based singer of pop and pop-folk became a worldwide sensation practically overnight, especially for songs like "Shape of You," "Shivers," "Perfect," and, to a more niche collective, "Galway Girl."
Sheeran recently appeared on the Louis Theroux Podcast to discuss music, as well as his style, goals, and identity.
While on the podcast, Sheeran discussed many subjects with Theroux, including scaling back his involvement in being a traveling musician and having "achieved enough for now."
But the part of the interview that caught most people's attention was when Sheeran reflected on his upbringing and identity.
The 34-year-old reflected on the fact that while he was raised in Suffolk, England, he actually identifies "culturally as Irish."
Since his father is Irish and was originally from Belfast, and he recalls many memories of visiting his dad's childhood home in Ireland, he feels like those experiences have shaped his identity more than those in England.
Sheeran explained:
"I class my culture as Irish. I think that's what I grew up with."
"My dad's family is... he's got seven brothers and sisters. We'd spend all of our holidays in Ireland."
"My first musical experiences were in Ireland, [and] I grew up with trad music in the house. So I identify culturally as Irish, but I was obviously born and raised in Britain."
Sheeran also thought this identification made perfect sense.
"I don't overthink it, but I do feel like my culture is something that I'm really proud of and grew up with and want to express."
"And I feel like just because I was born in Britain doesn't necessarily mean that I have to just be [British], there's loads of people I know that are half this or quarter this."
"I don't think there are any rules to it. It should be how you feel and how you were raised and what you lean into."
"It's basically my second home, musically. I'd say Ireland is the place that I am most successful musically."
These declarations, of course, got a lot of attention quickly, and most of it was critical.
After seeing the pushback on his interview, Sheeran responded in an Instagram story.
The story was a simple white text box with a screenshot of one of his Instagram comments.
The story text read:
"For anyone with an opinion after what I said about my heritage on the [Louis Theroux Podcast]."
The screenshot of the comment he included read:
"My dad is Irish. My family is Irish. I have an Irish passport."
"The culture I was brought up around is Irish. The first music I learnt was Irish."
"Just coz I was born somewhere else doesn't change my culture. I can be allowed to feel connection to a place half of my family is from."
@teddysphotos/Instagram
Fans tried to be more supportive after Sheeran posted the clapback.
Ed Sheeran is in the public eye, making this conversation around his identity and heritage very public, but this is unfortunately a conversation that many people have had when they try to stay connected to their heritage when they don't live in the same country.
While we all have a primary home and residency, some people try really hard to stay connected to other countries their family members may have immigrated from through regular visits, staying in touch with loved ones, knowing the language, and regularly involving themselves in things that bring that country to life, like their music, food, and traditions.
Though Sheeran may technically be a resident of England, that isn't to say that his bonds with family and tradition in Ireland are not strong, and only he can say how all of these experiences have shaped him.
