Blue check mark Twitter is angry that Ed Sheeran won a Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance because he is a white male.
Sheeran was the only male nominated in the category for his song “Shape of You,” and some Twitter users claimed that he only won because the Grammys are sexist.
Those are some infuriating words from the academy president. Women need to STEP UP music?! Yes, because @edsheeran’s vocal performance really did out do @Pink and @KeshaRose, my bad for thinking otherwise. They really need to step it up in the future. #grammys https://t.co/FJB8poXGO7
— Ariana and the Rose (@arianatherose) January 29, 2018
“The only man nominated with four powerhouse women,” singer and actor Jason Dottley wrote. “And he won for a song in which he used a melody without consent and that melody happened to also be written 2 women.”
#HOLDUP Ed Sheeran won. The only man nominated with four powerhouse women. And he won for a song in which he… https://t.co/B8JT9o9lqx
— Jason Dottley (@JasonDottley) January 29, 2018
the grammys are a meaningless spectacle, IMHO. they may give a bump in sales to some, but they’ve lost any shred of credibility they may have been clinging to. ed sheeran beating kesha, pink, gaga last nite + the dearth of female winners & now this guy? what a joke. https://t.co/Ef9f3j1hJE
— hilary (@hilahil) January 29, 2018
Others were angry that Sheeran specifically beat Kesha, who wrote her nominated song “Praying” about her alleged rape by her former producer Dr. Luke.
Kesha’s performance of “Praying” was pegged as the Grammys’ “#MeToo moment,” but people claimed the Grammys’ gesture was empty since they snubbed her for the award in favor of Sheeran.
#KeshaPraying represents a movement & history in our lives. I’ll let this story speak for itself. RT for @KeshaRose The Internet is done with the Grammys after Ed Sheeran’s best-pop-solo-performance win – USA TODAYhttps://t.co/u2SXoyE0rf
— Jay Michaels (@jaymichaels13) January 29, 2018
Ed Sheeran, the only male in Pop Solo Performance category, won and didn’t even bother to show up? SMH
— Denny Directo (@DDirecto) January 29, 2018
I’m not either. Ed Sheeran won best pop solo when he was up against Gaga, Kesha, Pink and Kelly Clarkson… the only man nominated wins… times not up at the Grammys.
— Lisa Lagace (@lisalagace) January 29, 2018
I’m triggered by Kesha losing her Grammy to Ed Sheeran. #GRAMMYs
— Dodes (@racheld) January 29, 2018
“The Kesha performance was so powerful but y’all still gave Ed Sheeran the award and Dr. Luke still gets to work in the industry so don’t pat yourself on the back too hard, Grammys,” Madison Hartman, a social editor for Complex, wrote.
the Kesha performance was so powerful but y’all still gave Ed Sheeran the award and Dr. Luke still gets to work in the industry so don’t pat yourself on the back too hard, Grammys.
— Madison Hartman (@madhartman) January 29, 2018
Ed Sheeran didn’t even show up and got a Grammy meanwhile Kesha over here SHOWING. UP. #JusticeForKesha #Grammys
— Brett S. Verg-ARIE (@BrettSVergara) January 29, 2018
The #GRAMMYs having Kesha perform Praying during the show but giving Best Pop Solo Performance to Ed Sheeran is a slap in the face to women. Shows they’ll exploit #MeToo & #TimesUp to get views for the show but when it comes down to it, won’t validate it.
— Kelli Boyle (@kellixboyle) January 29, 2018
“Like, is time REALLY up, because Ed Sheeran just won over Kesha,” a senior news producer for Genius said, referencing the “Time’s Up” movement against sexual harassment.
Like, is time REALLY up, because Ed Sheeran just won over Kesha, so, like… whet? #grammys
— Trillary Crosley (@HillaryCrosley) January 29, 2018
Comedian Phillip Henry argued that Sheeran is proof of “white privilege.”
“When people say white privilege doesn’t exist I just show them pictures of Ed Sheeran,” he tweeted. “His gene pool is shallow like a dinner plate and LOOK at his success.”
When people say white privilege doesn’t exist I just show them pictures of Ed Sheeran. His gene pool is shallow like a dinner plate and LOOK at his success. #GRAMMYs
— Phillip Henry (@MajorPhilebrity) January 29, 2018
“Ed Sheeran is a mediocre white man,” author Jenny Trout echoed.
Breaking: reports are coming in that Ed Sheeran is a mediocre white man. Disregard earlier message unless you are also a mediocre white man.
— Jenny Gallifrey-Joel Trout (@Jenny_Trout) January 29, 2018