NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 02: Ed Sheeran attends the Disney+ World Premiere of “Ed Sheeran: The Sum … [+]
Ed Sheeran is known for letting his music do the talking and leading a relatively private life. The singer-songwriter made a significant departure from his norm earlier this year with the release of The Sum of It All, a docuseries now available on Disney+. The series not only pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be one of the biggest pop stars in the world, but also delves into the personal challenges Sheeran has faced recently.
This shift in Sheeran’s approach to how he presents himself to the world begs the question: What prompted him change his mind and allow cameras into his life in a way he had never done before?
The turning point came when two tragic events occurred around the same time. Firstly, Sheeran’s best friend, Jamal Edwards, unexpectedly passed away at a young age. Edwards played a vital role in Sheeran’s musical journey, supporting him from the start and even letting him live with him for a period while he was still getting his career together.
While Sheeran was still processing this devastating loss, another blow struck when his wife, Cherry, was diagnosed with cancer while pregnant with their second child.
“Once those personal struggles started going down, was the moment where he felt like he wanted to talk about his story,” revealed Ben Turner, the executive producer of The Sum of It All. Fulwell 73, the production team behind the docuseries, had reportedly been in touch with Sheeran about working together for some time, but it was only when he had more to share than he could express through music alone that he seemingly desired to open up.
Turner affirmed that Sheeran is most emotionally literate through his songwriting,” but maybe that wasn’t enough for him as he faced hardships like never before. Interestingly, while many would choose to hide during tough times and only showcase the good and glamorous aspects of their lives, Sheeran takes the opposite approach.
Amidst the pain and uncertainty, Sheeran is simultaneously working on his latest album, – (Minus), which coincides with the release of the docuseries. In The Sum of It All—named as a play on the titles of his first several albums, which are all mathematical sumbols—viewers witness Sheeran’s creative process as he crafts new songs for a record that diverges from his typical radio-friendly pop style. However, it is during the live debut of these tracks that Sheeran’s vulnerability becomes awe-inspiring.
In a poignant scene, Sheeran performs the new album to a small audience of super fans in a church, but is overcome with emotions, breaking down in tears more than once. His wife, Cherry, who makes a significant appearance on camera for the first time in their relationship, looks on with concern. Sheeran, not known for being an overly emotional performer, surprises viewers with his raw openness.
“He didn’t know how to wear it in a way,” comments Turner regarding Sheeran’s grief, “And that was an amazing gap to be in with him, as that gap closed when he could come to terms with and understand it, it was an amazing time to be with him”Witnessing a world-class artist like Sheeran share and perform in such an intimate and unexpected manner is perhaps the greatest treat of The Sum of It All.
The making of this documentary was undoubtedly challenging for all involved—especially the two stars, Sheeran and Cherry. The pop star could have opted for a lighter and more entertaining production, but instead he chose to delve into the depths of his experiences. Both Sheeran and his wife deserve applause for their willingness to share their personal lives in ways that endear them to the public, but which could also be extremely helpful to others going through similar experiences.
David Soutar, the director of The Sum of It All, acknowledged that “the truth is, making a documentary is always a little bit intrusive for the people it’s about,” but he confirmed that the two made it easier than others might. “With Ed and Cherry we formed a very open and honest relationship really quickly. This helped because we could check in and discuss everything to make sure they were happy that we weren’t ever overstepping the mark despite exploring really personal events and emotions with them.”
While The Sum of It All provides insight into the life of a global superstar who fills stadiums worldwide, its essence is much more relatable. “It is amazing to hear about a star struggling with fame,” says Turner, “But we felt like it’s an amazing opportunity to discuss something that is really common to everyone.”
Soutar echoes this sentiment, highlighting that, “As a result of Ed’s openness this isn’t your average music documentary and it was a unique experience which we learned a lot from.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/06/14/ed-sheeran-opens-up-like-never-before-in-new-docuseries-the-sum-of-it-all/