Morgan Wallen is set to perform “More Than My Hometown” on tonight’s CMA Awards, marking his first television appearance since being booted as the musical guest of Saturday Night Live last month for flouting COVID-19 safety protocols.
The 27-year-old country singer, who is up for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, was caught on video partying just days before his SNL gig without social distancing or wearing a mask. He was replaced on the show by Jack White.
“I have some growing up to do,” Wallen admitted in an Instagram post at the time. “I’ve lost myself a little bit. I’ve tried to find joy in the wrong places and, I don’t know, it’s left me with less joy. So I’m going to go try work on that. I’m going to take a step back from the spotlight for a little while and go work on myself. I’m gonna go work on me.”
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Wallen recently reflected on the incident during an appearance on Bobby Bones’ podcast Bobbycast. He described his firing as “almost a good thing” and admitted he wants to be a better role model, especially for his 3-month-old son Indigo.
“It kind of forced me away, just to kind of reflect and look at myself and kind of get to know myself again and it was good for me,” he said. “So I took like a while, almost two weeks, and just turned my phone off and just didn’t even look at it.
“I don’t really love the circumstances that led to that but I’m thankful for where it led me.”
The CMA Awards air tonight on CTV Two. For a full list of nominations, click here.
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