The 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards that recently took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, sparked controversy due to perceived snubs towards chart-topping country singer, Morgan Wallen. Despite dominating the music scene this year, Wallen failed to secure any of the awards for which he was nominated.
Wallen had been nominated in three categories: Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for his album “One Thing At A Time.” The album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release in March, consists of 36 tracks. One of these, “Last Night,” even helped him score his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
However, despite his significant success, Wallen lost in all three categories. Chris Stapleton outperformed him for the Male Vocalist of the Year award, while Lainey Wilson bagged Entertainment of the Year and Best Album with “Bell Bottom Country.”
This snub has triggered a wave of outrage among Wallen’s fans. Many took to social media platforms to express their disappointment, with some even suggesting that Wallen was “robbed.” Critics argue that there may have been political reasons behind the decision, as Wallen has been embroiled in several controversies.
Wallen first gained public recognition as a contestant on The Voice in 2014. His popularity grew over time, and he won Album of the Year for “Dangerous: The Double Album” at the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards.
However, his career has been marred by controversy. In early 2021, a video surfaced showing Wallen allegedly using a racial slur and profanities during a night out in Nashville, Tennessee. This led to his record label, Big Loud Records, suspending his contract indefinitely. Other repercussions included Country Music Television removing his appearances from its platforms, and disqualification from the 2021 Grammys and the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Despite these setbacks, Wallen has attempted to make amends. In an interview on Good Morning America with Michael Strahan, he revealed that he had gone to rehab to address some issues and had pledged money to several Black-led or Black-founded charities.
Despite his past controversies and recent snub at the CMA Awards, Wallen’s music continues to be popular among fans. However, his vocal health issues have led to several canceled performances, causing further disappointment among his followers.
