Ed Sheeran is being criticized for posing with Johnny Depp in a new photo

Ed Sheeran is facing criticism after being photographed backstage with Johnny Depp at Andrea Bocelli’s concert series.

Both Sheeran, 33, and Depp, 61, along with actor Russell Crowe, 60, were recently special guests at the famed Italian tenor’s three-day Tuscan event celebrating his 30th anniversary in music.

On Thursday (July 18), the day after the show, Crowe posted a photo of himself sharing a Guinness with Depp and Sheeran backstage.

“Teatro del Silenzio Backstage Shenanigans with Teddy & Johnny,” the Gladiator star captioned the tweet. “Lubrication by Guinness. Perfect. Grazie Millie Maestro Andrea Bocelli. What an incredible experience.”

Several X users have since commented on the post, criticizing Sheeran and Crowe for “hanging out” with Depp.

“Sometimes I can’t defend other men,” one wrote.

“Oh, Ed Sheeran,” said another, alongside a GIF of Tyra Banks screaming. “I was cheering for you, we were all cheering for you! How dare you!”

“Nooooooooooooo OMG we lost one today kids. Ed how could you do this to me?????” wrote a third.

“Ed Sheeran is not a girly girl… Johnny Depp is a mean person,” wrote a fourth.

In 2022, Depp won his high-profile defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard over an op-ed she wrote in 2018 in The Washington Postin which she describes herself as “a public figure representing domestic violence.”

Depp previously lost his defamation case against the publisher of The sun newspaper in 2020 over an article claiming he was a “wife beater.”

Since the lawsuits, he has been working to rebuild his image and acting career.

Ahead of his guest appearance at Bocelli’s concert, Bocelli called Depp “a disarmingly charming actor who has brought countless iconic characters to life on the big screen. The musical talents of this eclectic artist are equally intense: a true rock star who is loved and acclaimed everywhere.”

During the show, Depp joined Bocelli onstage as they both honored the late Jeff Beck, who died suddenly in January 2023 after contracting bacterial meningitis. Depp played guitar while Bocelli sang “En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor,” the song Depp and Beck reportedly played for Bocelli when they visited him years ago.

Earlier this month, when he accepted the Best Actor award for his performance in Maïwenn’s historical drama Jeanne Du Barry At the National Film Awards, Depp spoke about his “sometimes tragic” Hollywood career.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today. I feel very fortunate and honored that you – all of you – are giving me the opportunity to continue doing the work that I love,” he said in a pre-recorded video played during the ceremony.

“It is always deeply humbling when the recognition for your efforts comes directly from the hearts of the people, the hearts and minds who have accompanied me on this long, mystical, magical, sometimes tragic – but never dull – journey,” Depp added.

“I can’t thank you enough for continuing to give me the opportunity to tell the stories I feel the need to tell, and for sticking with me and my curious collection of characters all these years.”