Morgan Wallen is the No. 1 artist in the US right now, even after famously using a racial slur. Here's a complete timeline of his biggest controversies.
Morgan Wallen is currently the No. 1 artist in the US with his album "One Thing at a Time."
Wallen's chart success comes even after a string of controversies.
The 29-year-old singer has previously used a racial slur and was once thrown out of Kid Rock's bar.
Morgan Wallen is having the biggest moment of his career.
The country singer's third studio album, "One Thing at a Time," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release on March 3, and has already enjoyed the biggest streaming week of any country album in history.
All 36 of the album's songs are placed on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Last Night," which on March 13 scored Wallen his first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In having all 36 songs on the chart, Wallen, who rose to fame as a competitor on season six of "The Voice," has set a new record for most songs on the Billboard Hot 100 by one artist at the same time. The previous record holder was Drake with 27.
Wallen's recent successes come even after a string of controversies, including using a racial slur and being arrested for public intoxication. Here is a timeline of the singer's past behavior.
May 23, 2020: Wallen is kicked out of Kid Rock's bar and arrested.Morgan Wallen currently has a No. 1 album and single.
Getty/Matt Winkelmeyer
According to The Tennessean, Wallen was arrested and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges during a night out in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
Police said Wallen got kicked out of Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse at about 11 p.m. for "kicking glass items." On the street, he then got into verbal fights with passersby.
"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."
October 3-4, 2020: Wallen is caught partying without a mask during lockdown.Wallen broke Alabama's COVID-19 protocols in October 2020.
Inside Edition/TMZ
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.
October 7, 2020: Wallen pulls out of headlining a festival in Georgia.Wallen was supposed to be the headline act at the Rome River Jam.
Getty/John Shearer
The same day Wallen was axed from "SNL," he also canceled his headline gig at the Rome River Jam in Georgia.
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.
December 5, 2020: Wallen jokes about breaking COVID-19 rules during "SNL" sketch.The resemblance is uncanny.
YouTube/Saturday Night Live
After making his postponed "SNL" debut, Wallen poked fun at himself during a sketch about the events that led to his original appearance on the show getting canceled.
In the sketch, Wallen is at an Alabama bar where he's met by 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 said to Wallen.
February 2, 2021: Video emerges of Wallen using a racial slur.Wallen was heard using a racial slur to address a friend.
Getty/John Shearer
In footage posted on TMZ, Wallen was heard using the N-word to address his friend as they returned to Morgan's house after a night out in Nashville.
"I'm embarrassed and sorry," Wallen said to TMZ. "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."
February 3, 2020: Wallen's music is pulled from radio stations across the United States.Wallen's music was pulled by radio stations and streaming platforms following his use of a racial slur.
Getty/Jason Kempin
Stations including SiriusXM and iHeartRadio pulled Wallen's music from the air following the release of TMZ's video. Wallen's music was also removed from streaming platforms Apple Music and Spotify.
February 3, 2020: Wallen is suspended by his record label.Morgan Wallen was filmed using a racial slur in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jason Kempin/ACMA2020/Getty Images for ACM
In a statement, Big Loud said: "In the wake of recent events, Big Loud Records has made the decision to suspend Morgan Wallen's recording contract indefinitely."
The statement concluded that Republic Records, which in 2019 partnered with Big Loud to work with Wallen, "fully supports Big Loud's decision and agrees that such behavior will not be tolerated."
February 10, 2020: Wallen issues an apology video.Wallen asked his fans not to defend him in an apology video.
Wallen also shared that 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."
October 28, 2021: Wallen is banned from attending the American Music Awards.Wallen was nominated for two awards at the 2021 AMAs.
Getty/Mike Coppola
Wallen was a double nominee at the 2021 American Music Awards, receiving nods in the favorite male country artist and favorite country album categories.
He was banned from attending and accepting awards, however, because of his use of a 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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