May 2020 Arrest
Wallen’s first major controversy came just a couple of years into his career. In May 2020, he was kicked out of Kid Rock’s bar in downtown Nashville due to bad behavior. Once outside, he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. The singer later took to Twitter (now known as X) to apologize to his fans for the charges, per Taste of Country. The post appears to have since been deleted.
‘SNL’ COVID Cancellation
Five months after his arrest, Wallen was set to make his Saturday Night Live debut as a musical guest, in October 2020. However, ahead of the episode, Wallen posted a video on Instagram stating that producers canceled his appearance due to evidence that he broke the show’s COVID-19 safety protocols. Jack White was announced as his replacement.
“I got a call from the show letting me know I will no longer be able to play,” Wallen said in a video message at the time. “I respect the show’s decision because I know that I put them in jeopardy and I take ownership for this.” He apologized to SNL, as well as his fans and his team, “for bringing me these opportunities, and I let them down.” That post, too, appears to have since been deleted, per NPR. Wallen was later rescheduled for the Dec. 5 episode, finally making his debut.
Racial Slur Controversy
Certainly, Wallen’s biggest controversy to date would be his 2021 racial slur incident. The singer was caught on camera using a racial slur after a night out with friends, which sparked significant backlash. While the controversy did not hurt his album sales, it did lead to him facing consequences from his record label, as well as being disinvited from a number of awards shows.
After leaving the spotlight for a few weeks, Wallen issued a public message on social media, thanking his fans for their support and offering an update on himself. “I wanted to let you guys know that I’ve taken a couple months away and feel like I’ve really worked on myself,” he offered, in part. “I’m proud of the work I’ve put in, and in many ways thankful to have had the time to do it. I’ve needed this time off.”
Racial Slur Controversy – Fallout
In the wake of his apology, Wallen reportedly donated $300,000 to the Black Music Action Coalition. He also sat down for a Good Morning America interview with Michael Strahan, wherein he stated that the night he was recorded using the slur he had been “around some of his friends, and they say dumb stuff together.” He added that “he was wrong” to use the offensive language.
Eventually, Wallen’s music returned to the radio, in August 2021, after having been pulled from the airwaves since the footage of his incident had gone public. He was also nominated for some awards that he was not eligible to accept, due to being temporarily banned from the awards shows. Ultimately, he did not win any of the categories.
Opry Return Backlash
In January 2022, nearly a year after the footage of Wallen using a racial slur was first reported, he made his return to the Grand Ole Opry. The singer joined fellow country star Ernest on stage to perform the song “Flower Shops.” The Tennessean noted that the surprise collaboration sparked “fierce backlash” from many who were upset that the Opry allowed Wallen to take the stage after the venue had previously posted an Instagram message decrying racism.
Concert Cancellations
Following his Opry controversy, Wallen seemed to remain low-key for nearly a year — aside from some personal matters — but he eventually reemerged with a new album, One Thing at a Time, and new tour dates. The joy was short-lived, however. Wallen ran into a major backlash from his fans when, on April 23, he called off an Oxford, Mississippi concert right before he was set to perform.
A message went up on the screens telling fans that he was unable to perform and that they would be receiving refunds. This sparked a lot of heated comments online, with many country music fans heavily criticizing the way Wallen handled the situation. Compounding the issue, it was later alleged that Wallen was too drunk to perform. His record label refuted the allegations, as did the venue where the concert was to be held.
In May, Wallen revealed that he would have to cancel six weeks of touring, following some “bad news” from his doctors. Taking to social media, he shared a video message with his fans, revealing that he’d been suffering from some vocal issues that had persisted. He stated that he’d been urged to stop touring and rest his voice, but that he planned to reschedule the shows he missed.
Chair-Throwing Arrest
On Monday, April 12, news emerged that Wallen had been taken into custody the night before, after throwing a chair off the roof of Eric Church’s bar, Chiefs.
The chair narrowly missed two police officers. Witnesses stated they watched Wallen “pick up the chair, throw it over him, laughing afterward.” Wallen was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment for the two officers who were in the vicinity and for the danger to the public. He was also charged with disorderly conduct.
In a Monday morning statement from Wallen’s attorney, Worrick Robinson of Worrick Robinson Law, the attorney stated, “At 10:53p Sunday evening Morgan Wallen was arrested in downtown Nashville for reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. He is cooperating fully with authorities.”
Wallen was taken into police custody and booked into Nashville Metro Jail early Monday morning, according to WKRN. He was released from jail sometime later, with the Metro Nashville Police Department announcing that his bond was $15,520.
In a public statement, Wallen said, “I didn’t feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks. I’ve touched base with Nashville law enforcement, my family, and the good people at Chief’s. I’m not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility.”
He added, “I have the utmost respect for the officers working every day to keep us all safe. Regarding my tour, there will be no change.”