Morgan Wallen Wins Three at 2021 Billboard Music Awards
Count the wins as another step back into the spotlight.
Embattled country star Morgan Wallen took home three trophies at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards this weekend (May 23), winning despite being banned from the show amid a lingering controversy.
After being removed from radio playlists following a racially-charged incident in February, Wallen was awarded Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album for Dangerous: The Double Album. But the surprising news didn’t come out of nowhere.
Weeks before the show took place, production company Dick Clark Productions warned that they had no control over Wallen being nominated — since Billboard Awards are given out based purely on chart performance. When the nominees were revealed, Wallen had six, even though he’d been suspended by his label, removed from streaming playlists and agreed to step out of the spotlight. Instead, the BBMAs prevented him from attending, and Wallen’s awards were announced before the live show took place.
“Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting,” read the nominations announcement. “As his recent conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting). … It is heartening and encouraging to hear that Morgan is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work. We plan to evaluate his progress and will consider his participation in future shows.”
Other country winners on the night included Gabby Barrett — who took home three trophies of her own — Carrie Underwood and Florida Georgia Line. But Wallen’s wins were another slow but steady step back toward the public life. He’s recently begun posting new songs to social media and even made a surprise appearance in downtown Nashville last month — getting up onstage at Kid Rock’s honky tonk to perform two songs for a packed house. That marked Wallen’s first performance since getting caught on camera using the “n-word,” but according to recent reports, his comeback may still have some challenges ahead. After accepting an invitation by local NAACP leaders to sit down together, TMZ says the meeting has yet to happen.
