Ed Sheeran Thinks Nicki Minaj’s MTV Complaints Are Tired

Though Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj have ostensibly made up, the conversation the latter started about racism and media representation isn't going anywhere. But today (July 23), Ed Sheeran decided to chime in, and when he did, it was in defense of his friend and collaborator Swift, and it was critical of Minaj's argument. The British singer spoke to Australia's Daily Telegraph about the superstars' online exchange, saying, “I think everyone knows that Taylor has done nothing wrong in that situation,” an observation that flies in the face of the widespread uproar over her retort to Nicki. The rapper's chief complaint was that MTV, the VMAs and the larger media structures both represent tend to reward women for fitting into rigid beauty standards. Swift mistakenly thought the line of reasoning was aimed directly at her.

Sheeran went on to add: “[Swift] didn’t nominate herself for the awards. It’s not her fault, she just made some good videos and people think they’re good. And I think the Minaj point is a bit redundant, her point is that you have to be skinny and white to get a video of the year nomination but Beyonce’s "7/11" is in there and that is celebrating the female figure in every form.” (Despite "7/11"'s homemade appearance, the women in that video skew welterweight at best.) Sheeran has previously toured and collaborated with Swift, and is nominated for six VMAs, including Video of the Year for his "Thinking Out Loud."