Ed Sheeran Says He Struggled With Body Image Issues And Believes His Popularity Is Due To Fans Who Also Feel Like They Don’t Fit In
Ed Sheeran believes that one of the reasons he has been such a global success is because his fans are much like him and don’t feel like they fit in, reports the Daily Record.
Sheeran believes that a lot of the younger generation can identify with what it feels like to be an outsider. In a recent interview with Q Magazine Sheeran suggested that he believes his musical gifts were given to him to make up for the rough start he had in life. Sheeran dealt with many health issues as a child.
Sheeran said that he believes his popularity and the popularity of his close friend Taylor Swift are rooted in the fact that they aren’t part of the pack.
“We were both the uncool kids. Our fan base is exactly the same. If you look at any big pop person, the girls are there, or the boys all dressed up, hair done properly. Whereas our gigs, we attract the outsiders, they relate to us the most. I get kids turning up to my shows on their own. I was never a lone wolf, I’m a sociable guy, but I’ve always done my own thing. We’re all outsiders who found solace in music,” Sheeran told Q.
Sheeran opened up to the magazine about the setbacks he faced as a child.
“I was a weird little ginger kid, with a stutter, big NHS specs and no ear drum,” he said.
Sheeran had a perforated ear drum, which he did not have replaced until he was 11. He was born with a large birthmark on his face that was removed later on by laser surgery. He also dealt with a detached retina, which often gave him the lazy eye effect.
Sheeran also suffered from nerve damage as a child during an operation which led to a stutter. His stutter was eventually cured by therapy.
Sheeran has used his experiences as a child and his body images issues to help others. He has teamed up with YoungMinds to help raise awareness to the mental health issues that teens face.
Sheeran says he was never happy with how he looked before he realized he could easily live a healthier lifestyle.
“I’d like to be healthier, but I just don’t enjoy working out. I enjoyed dancing and I lost weight while dancing. I could play football, I could do badminton. I just don’t enjoy running on a treadmill or doing weights or doing sit-ups,” Sheeran said according to The Mirror.
Sheeran has made peace with his past. He has combined his talent and his individuality and created a shining star.
“I wasn’t exactly normal and I’ve come out of it on top. My view on it is God looked down one day and was like ‘f***ing hell, you need some help mate, here’s a guitar.”
