The Controversial Journey of Morgan Wallen: From 'Saturday Night Live' Drama to N-Word Scandal and Beyond

Morgan Wallen has gained a reputation as the "bad boy" of country music due to a number of ****scandals that have occurred during his career.

The singer first rose to fame on season 6 of The Voice back in 2014, where he was part of Adam Levine's team. Unfortunately, he was eliminated during the playoffs. However, just two years later, he landed a record deal with Big Loud Records.

Wallen faced some bumps in the road as his music career took off. In May 2020, he was arrested outside Kid Rock’s Nashville bar, Big Honky Tonk, for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Fortunately, he was later cleared of the charges.

The drama continued for Wallen later that year. He was spotted partying without a face mask and kissing multiple women at college bars in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2021, TMZ released a video of Wallen using a racial slur, sparking controversy once again.

"I'm really sorry and embarrassed. I said something hurtful and wrong, using a racial slur that I deeply regret. There's no excuse for that kind of language, and I want to apologize sincerely for using it. I promise to do better."

Keep scrolling to see Wallen's journey through the highs and lows over the years:

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Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Morgan Wallen’s Controversial Journey in the Spotlight

Morgan Wallen has gained a reputation as the "bad boy" of country music due to the numerous ****scandals he has faced throughout his career.

The singer of "Whiskey Glasses" kicked off his career on season 6 of The Voice in 2014. He was part of Adam Levine's team but unfortunately was eliminated during the playoffs. Two years later, he landed a contract with Big Loud Records.

As his popularity and recognition in the music world grew, Wallen faced a setback when he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct outside Kid Rock's Nashville bar, Big Honky Tonk, in May 2020. Fortunately, he was later found innocent of the charges.

The drama escalated later that year when Wallen was seen partying without a face mask and kissing multiple women at college bars in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Wallen stirred up more controversy when a video of him using the N-word was published by TMZ in February 2021.

"I'm truly sorry for using a racial slur that was unacceptable and inappropriate," he stated. "There is no excuse for such language, and I deeply regret it. I apologize and commit to doing better."

Keep reading to discover the highs and lows of Wallen's journey over the years.

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Credit: Debby Wong/Shutterstock

May 2020

Wallen first made headlines after getting arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct in Nashville.

Last night, I went downtown with some old friends. We visited a couple of bars and ended up goofing around with each other," shared the singer of "Thought You Should Know" on Twitter. "We didn't intend to cause any trouble, and we would like to apologize to the bar staff or anyone else who may have been impacted."

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Credit: Debby Wong/Shutterstock

July 2020

Two months after his arrest, Wallen celebrated the arrival of his first child, son Indigo, with ex KT Smith. He shared on Instagram, "Since you entered the world on Friday, my perspective on life has changed. It's no longer just about me, and I'm grateful for that. This past year has been incredibly challenging, but I won't define it by the struggles. You are what I will always remember."

He expressed, "Ever since you were born, I have realized that every choice I make will be with your well-being in mind. I promise to always keep you safe and strive to be a positive role model for you, just like my own father was for me."

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Credit: Youtube

October 2020

In October 2020, the singer of "Wasted on You" made headlines again. This time, he was disinvited as the musical guest from SNL. This happened after he was found breaking the show's COVID-19 rules while partying at a bar.

I'm currently in a hotel room in New York City, preparing for SNL this Saturday. However, I received a call from the show informing me that I won't be able to perform. This decision was made due to COVID protocols, which I completely understand," Wallen shared. "Although I tested negative for COVID, my recent actions were not well-thought-out and have impacted my future aspirations. I acknowledge my mistake and the consequences it has brought upon me. I respect the show's choice as I realize I put them at risk. I take full responsibility for my actions."

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Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

February 2021

The next year, Wallen faced criticism for using the N-word in videos that surfaced. As a result, the singer faced consequences for his actions. He was suspended indefinitely by his record label, Big Loud Records, and his music was temporarily removed from various streaming services and radio stations.

In his apology video, Wallen acknowledged the need to address the incident. He mentioned taking time to reflect, seek guidance, and come forward with a thoughtful response. He also shared that he was invited by the Nashville chapter of the NAACP to meet and discuss the impact of his words. Despite expecting harsh judgment, Wallen expressed gratitude for the grace and opportunity to learn and grow offered to him by the organization.

Wallen expressed his remorse as he asked his fans to not defend him and took responsibility for “any penalties” he was facing.

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Credit: Youtube

July 2021

Wallen made an appearance on Good Morning America to address the backlash from his racial slur scandal. He explained that he did not intend to use the term in a derogatory way, stating that he was with friends when the incident occurred. Wallen admitted that they sometimes say foolish things together, and although they may view it as playful, he acknowledged that it was wrong.

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Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock

March 2022

After a year since the scandal, the artist known for "Everything I Love" started his comeback in the music industry. He made a successful return by winning Album of the Year at the 2022 ACM Awards, even though he had been banned from the ceremony before.

In his acceptance speech, he shared, "When I started this album, I was just a kid. But by the time I released it, I had become a father. And that's what matters most to me now." He expressed that the album and the award symbolize to his son that his dad was a fighter, who pursued his dreams with determination and turned them into reality.

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Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

April 2023

Wallen received criticism from his fans when he had to cancel a concert in Mississippi right before he was supposed to perform.

He explained on his Instagram Story that he began losing his voice after the previous night's show. Despite resting, consulting his doctor, and doing vocal exercises all day, his voice did not improve. He expressed regret for having to cancel so last minute, but his voice was too strained to sing.

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Credit: Courtesy of Morgan Wallen/Instagram

May 2023

Country singer Wallen cancels upcoming shows due to health issues

Wallen announced in an Instagram video message that he received bad news from his doctors after experiencing vocal cord trauma. Despite attempting to perform after 10 days of vocal rest, he felt terrible and was advised to go on vocal rest for six weeks. As a result, he made the difficult decision to cancel six weeks of upcoming shows to focus on his recovery.

The singer shared, "I injured my lat muscle while in Australia. I've been quietly working on rehabilitating it, but this break will give me the opportunity to fully recover and get back in shape."

Morgan Wallens Ups and Downs Through the Years

Credit: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department via Getty Images

April 2024

Wallen was confirmed to have been arrested in Nashville by the US authorities. He faced three felony charges - three counts of reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. This was due to an incident where he allegedly threw a chair from a sixth-floor height. A police report from a local news outlet stated that the chair landed close to several Metro Nashville police officers.

Following his arrest, a video of Wallen being escorted into a police car spread widely online. His bond was set at $15,520 and he was scheduled to appear in court in May 2024. Wallen's lawyer mentioned in a statement that the singer was fully cooperating with the authorities.

Editor's P/S:

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