Global music superstar Ed Sheeran has achieved what many artists can only dream of, but his most demanding critics are found right at home. The award-winning singer has confessed that his two young daughters would much rather listen to the soundtrack from the Disney film Moana than any of his own number-one hits.
A Humbling Reality for a Superstar Dad
Ed Sheeran, 34, shares his children—five-year-old Lyra and three-year-old Jupiter—with his wife, Cherry Seaborn. He often uses them as a test audience for new material, but the feedback isn't always what he hopes for. "They like certain songs," Sheeran admitted. "When I sing the Moana soundtrack it goes down well. Yesterday I sang them a new song and they were like 'can you sing Moana'." This candid revelation shows that even a musician with multiple Grammys and Brit Awards can be upstaged by a beloved Disney princess in his own living room.
Strained Friendship with Taylor Swift?
This family news emerges amidst reports of a "strained" friendship between Sheeran and his long-time friend, Taylor Swift. The duo, who have been close since 2012, are said to be at odds after Swift announced the release of her new album, The Life Of A Showgirl, for 3rd October. This was just weeks after Sheeran had announced his own eighth studio album, Play, for 12th September.
An insider claimed that "Ed takes these things really seriously" and was "understandably peeved" that Taylor's announcement, made with just weeks of notice, forced his team to scramble for promotional attention. The source also stated this "wasn't the first time Taylor pulled a similar move." Further fuelling the rumours, Swift confirmed on The Tonight Show that Sheeran found out about her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce via her Instagram announcement.
No Phone, No Problem: Sheeran Addresses the 'Rift'
Both stars have since moved to quash any talk of a genuine feud. Taylor Swift explained that Sheeran is notoriously difficult to contact because "He doesn't have a phone... You have to email him or FaceTime him." Sheeran corroborated this, adding, "I have actually got rid of the iPad as well. I am not on anything anymore."
He downplayed the significance of the album release clash, emphasising the strength of their bond. "My way of doing it is that me and Taylor are mates," Sheeran said. "We saw one another we had a four hour catch up super close and we see each other when we see each other. And we lock back in to where we left off." It seems that for Ed Sheeran, family preferences and long-standing friendships are what truly matter, far beyond chart positions and release dates.
