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Entertainment
Callie Ahlgrim
Updated
2024-04-08T18:39:28Z
- Morgan Wallen topped charts and broke records with his 2023 album "One Thing at a Time."
- His success has come despite a string of controversies, including using a racial slur on video.
- The country singer was recently arrested and charged with three felony counts, according to reports.
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On the surface, Morgan Wallen is a country star at the top of his game.
The singer's third studio album, 2023's "One Thing at a Time," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remained there for 19 weeks, breaking the record for most weeks among country albums. He finished the year as Billboard's top-performing Hot 100 artist.
However, Wallen's commercial success comes in spite of a string of controversies, including multiple arrests. Keep scrolling for a timeline of his biggest scandals.
Barnaby Lane contributed to a previous version of this article.
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May 23, 2020: Wallen is kicked out of Kid Rock's bar and arrested.
According to The Tennessean, Wallen was arrested and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges during a night out in downtown Nashville.
Police said Wallen was kicked out of Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse at about 11 p.m. for "kicking glass items." He then got into verbal fights with passersby on the street.
"We didn't mean any harm, and we want to say sorry to any bar staff or anyone that was affected," Wallen said in a since-deleted tweet the day after the incident. "Thank you to the local authorities for being so professional and doing their job with class. Love y'all."
Prosecutors later abandoned the charges.
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October 2020: Wallen is caught partying without a mask during lockdown.
Just one week before Wallen was set to make his debut appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in October 2020, videos of the singer drinking and making out with women at packed bars and parties in Alabama, without a mask, emerged online.
At the time, Alabama had deployed a statewide mask and social distancing mandate to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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October 7, 2020: Wallen's "SNL" appearance is canceled.
As a result of his breaking COVID-19 restrictions, Wallen's "SNL" appearance was canceled. He was quickly replaced by Jack White.
"My actions this past weekend were pretty short-sighted and they have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams," he said in an Instagram video after getting axed by NBC producers.
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October 7, 2020: Wallen drops out of headlining a festival in Georgia.
The same day Wallen's "SNL" gig was canceled, he also canceled his headline slot at the Rome River Jam in Georgia — just two days before he was scheduled to take the stage.
According to Billboard, the festival — which allowed fans to gather in their own socially distanced, open-air pods — was expected to be the largest event planned for country fans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Wallen was replaced by Lee Brice on the lineup.
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December 5, 2020: Wallen jokes about breaking COVID-19 precautions during an "SNL" sketch.
Wallen made his "SNL" debut two months after his original appearance was canceled.
During the show, Wallen made a surprise appearance during a skit to poke fun at his recent behavior.
In the sketch, Wallen is drinking at an Alabama bar when he meets two future versions of himself, played by Jason Bateman and Bowen Yang, who warn him of what's about to unfold.
"Someone's going to post a video of you breaking COVID-19 protocols and the whole internet is going to freak out," Bateman says to Wallen.
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February 2, 2021: Wallen is caught on video using the N-word.
In a video filmed by Wallen's neighbor and published by TMZ, Wallen can be heard using the N-word to address his friend after a night out in Nashville.
"I'm embarrassed and sorry," Wallen said toTMZ. "I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better."
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February 3, 2020: Wallen's music is pulled from radio stations across the United States.
Stations including SiriusXM andiHeartRadio pulled Wallen's music from the air following the release of TMZ's video. Wallen's music was also deplatformed by streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify.
CMT also took a stand against Wallen's behavior.
"After learning of Morgan Wallen's racial slur late last night, we are in the process of removing his appearances from all our platforms," the country-music cable networkannounced on Twitter. "We do not tolerate or condone words and actions that are in direct opposition to our core values that celebrate diversity, equity & inclusion."
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February 3, 2020: Wallen is suspended by his record label.
Big Loud Records announced it would suspend Wallen's recording contract "indefinitely" following his casual use of the N-word.
Republic Records, whichpartnered with Big Loud to distribute Wallen's music, backed the decision with a statement on Twitter.
"Such behavior will not be tolerated," the statement reads.
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February 10, 2020: Wallen issues an apology video.
In a lengthy video shared on his Instagram,Wallen apologized for his remarks and said that he had spoken to leaders in the Black community.
Wallen also shared that he was attempting to get sober.
"I have one favor to ask. I appreciate those who still see something in me and have defended me," he said. "But for today, please don't. I was wrong. It's on me to take ownership for this. And I fully accept any penalties I'm facing."
"Our actions matter, our words matter," he added. "And I just want to encourage anyone watching to please learn from my mistakes."
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October 28, 2021: Wallen is barred from attending the American Music Awards.
Wallen was a double nominee at the 2021 American Music Awards, receiving nods in the favorite male country artist and favorite country album categories.
However, he was barred from attending and accepting awards due to his use of the racial slur.
"Morgan Wallen is a nominee this year based on charting," said the show's producers in a statement. "As his conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting).
"We plan to evaluate his progress in doing meaningful work as an ally to the Black community and will consider his participation in future shows."
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May 15, 2022: Wallen performs at the Billboard Music Awards.
Wallen was a four-time nominee at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, which distributes awards based on streaming and sales figures.
He took the stage to perform a medley of "Don't Think Jesus" and "Wasted on You," his first award-show performance since he was filmed using the N-word. He also won the award for top country male artist.
During the awards ceremony, host Diddy said he was "uncanceling" Wallen.
"Love does not rock like that," said the hip-hop superstar. "I'm here to forgive, to unify, to celebrate, and to have everybody be free."
Diddy has since become a controversial figure in his own right, facing multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse.
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June 29, 2022: Wallen opens up about the "dark" time in his life.
Wallen reflected on his past year during an interview with Storme Warren on SiriusXM's "The Highway."
"I feel like I'm a pretty resilient person, and I'm a pretty happy person in general," Wallen told Warren. "But that was definitely a really difficult time, you know?"
"We tried to keep my sight set on better things," he continued. "I feel like if we just stay true to who I knew I really was, that it would, we would come out all right."
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March 13, 2023: Wallen scores his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Last Night."
Wallen's third studio album, "One Thing at a Time," debuted at No. 1 upon its release in 2023.
All 36 of the album's tracks appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking Drake's single-week record. "Last Night" claimed the top spot, becoming Wallen's first No. 1 hit.
The single went on to chart at No. 1 for 16 nonconsecutive weeks, the most ever for a solo song.
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April 23, 2023: Wallen cancels his concert in Mississippi minutes before he was meant to take the stage.
Just moments before Wallen was set to appear at the Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, fans were shocked by a black-and-white message on the stage's big screen, announcing his last-minute cancellation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, Morgan has lost his voice and is unable to perform tonight," the message read. "Therefore, tonight's show has been canceled. Please make your way safely to the stadium exits. Refunds for tonight's event will be available at point of purchase."
Wallen later apologized in a statement on Instagram.
"After last night's show I started losing my voice so I spent the day resting up, talking to my doctor and working through my vocal exercise trying to get better," he wrote. "I am so sorry, I promise you guys I tried everything I could."
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April 25, 2023: Wallen faces legal action for his concert's last-minute cancellation.
Brandi Burcham, a fan who attended the canceled Mississippi gig, filed a federal lawsuit against Wallen for breach of contract and negligence.
The University of Mississippi, which hosted the concert, promised full ticket refunds, but Burcham's complaint said she has yet to be reimbursed.
Burcham also cited incurring "out-of-pocket expenses" caused by the concert cancellation that won't be covered by the reimbursem*nt.
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April 8, 2024: Wallen is arrested in Nashville and charged with three felony counts.
According to local news reports, Wallen was arrested after he threw a chair from a sixth-story rooftop bar in Nashville. Two police officers who were standing outside said the chair hit the ground just a few feet away.
In a statement provided to The New York Times, Wallen's lawyer Worrick Robinson confirmed his client's arrest and said he is "cooperating fully with authorities."
Wallen was arrested on three felony counts of reckless endangerment, the Times reported. He was also charged with one count of disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor.
He was released after posting bond and received a court date for early May.
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