Creator Banned From TikTok for Being Ed Sheeran’s Lookalike | “I Actually Can’t Sing”

Ty Jones calls it a clear case of 'discrimination' as he is banned from TikTok for looking "too much like Ed Sheeran." Apparently, the site thought he 'pretended' to be the pop star in his videos though "Ned Sheeran" states otherwise. Regardless, the guy lost a massive following of over 100,000 followers on TikTok.
The 28-year-old is Sheeran's splitting image, so much so that it becomes nearly impossible to tell them apart. He hails from Manchester and his followers enjoy his hilarious impersonations of the singer. Apart from the spotlight, his uncanny resemblance to the singer is the foundation of his career. However, the guy's TikTok account was briefly banned for looking "too much like Ed Sheeran." The site does not allow impersonation of any kind, though, to Jones's credit, he never mentions he's the singer and his account's username mentions his 'original' name. His singing videos also make it clear he hasn't got Sheeran's voice.
The Sun reports that after reviewing his appeal, TikTok told Jones, “It was determined that your account has violated our Community Guidelines and cannot be restored.” But the site believes in re-considering its decision, so they reinstated his account. Yet Jones was disappointed by the move and appealed before the decision was retracted. He told The Sun, "It's quite obvious I am a lookalike. I actually can't sing. People always comment on my videos, saying, 'Oh my God, it's Ed Sheeran." But he insists that he never presents himself as Sheeran. In fact, he corrects people who mistake him for the Bad Habits singer.
He continued, "I'm always repeating myself saying, 'I am not Ed.' Sometimes I have it in bold writing. I feel like it's discrimination because I can't change the way I look. Just because I look like Ed Sheeran, does that mean I can't make TikToks?" Well, that makes complete sense to us.
Jones also says that by banning him, TikTok takes away his right to run a business. He added, "Maybe TikTok should ban Ed for impersonating me too, given that we look the same. It's my full-time job. I was keen to promote what I do and market my business." It's clear that Jones has no intention to "be Ed Sheeran," but he wants to build a profitable business being his lookalike. He's also openly shared that people sometimes are left 'shaking and crying' while meeting him because they think it's the real Sheeran. Jones's honesty also comes across as he says he feels "guilty" when he reveals to the dedicated fans that he isn't their favorite singer. DJ Ben Pearce also mistook Jones for Sheeran and pulled him on stage on a night out in the Northern Quarter, Manchester. "Ben actually thought I was Ed Sheeran and started introducing me as him it was quite funny - then when I told him I just look like him he couldn't believe it," said Jones, per Daily Mail. However, his partner, Amanda Baron seems okay with the unwanted attention as she used to joke about getting married to OG Sheeran, per The Sun.
According to TikTok, the video-making platform has a number of technologies and moderation teams to review and moderate videos across its platform. They are open to reviewing their decisions but are equally committed to protecting their users and will continue to invest in content safety. As for Jones, he first met Ed Sheeran in 2012. He also has a baby girl with his partner, Amanda Baron whom the couple named Cherry Rose after the name of Sheeran's wife, Cherry Seaborn, per News18.