Morgan Wallen Issues Emotional Video Apology Following Use of Racial Slur
“I let so many people down,” he says.
Morgan Wallen has issued what he called a “long overdue” statement on Wednesday evening (Feb. 10), eight days after a video of himself using the N-word surfaced online.
The singer/songwriter said that he took time to collect his thoughts and “seek some real guidance” before speaking out. In the five-plus minute video clip, Wallen discussed the video that was shared by TMZ and addresses his initial apology that was released.
“I wrote many detailed thoughts and only a portion of those got used, which painted me into an even more careless light,” he says. “I’m here to hopefully show you that that’s not the truth.”
Wallen went on to address the clip directly as well as the circumstances leading up to the moment that was caught on camera.
“The video you saw is me on hour 72 of [a] 72 [hour] of a bender and that’s not something I’m proud of either,” he reveals. “Obviously, the natural thing to do is apologize further and just continue to apologize but because you got caught and that’s not what I wanted to do.”
“I let so many people down, who mean a lot to me and who’ve given so much to me and it’s just not fair,” he continues. “I let my parents down and they’re the furthest thing from the person in that video. I let my son down and I’m not okay with that.”
Wallen also revealed that he has accepted some invitations from “some amazing black organizations” in an effort to educate himself and “engage in some very real and honest conversations.” While he admits he was nervous to do so, Wallen said he was shown true kindness and was inspired by them reaching out to him.
“The very people I hurt and they had every right to step on my neck while I was down to not show me any grace but they did the exact opposite, they offered me grace and they also paired that with an offer to learn and to grow,” he explains, adding that he has had the opportunity to hear personal stories from black people throughout the past week that “honestly shook me.”
“I know what I’m going through this week doesn’t even compare to some of the trials I heard about from them,” he acknowledges. “I came away from those discussions with a deep appreciation for them and a clearer understanding of the weight of my words. I wish the circumstances were different for me to learn these things, but I’m also glad it started the process for me to do so. I’ve got many more things to learn but I already know that I don’t want to add to any division. This week was a big lesson that sometimes we could do just that without even knowing, our actions matter. Our words matter. And I just want to encourage anyone watching to please learn from my mistake, there’s no reason to downplay what I did, it matters and please know I am carefully choosing my next steps in repair.”
Wallen shared that he is now nine days sober.
“It’s not all that long of a time but it’s enough to know the man in that video is not the man that I’m trying to be,” he says. “I’ve had this week to think about times when I’m sober and I’m really proud of who I am and my actions for the most part in those moments. When I look at the times that I’m not, it seems to be where the majority of my mistakes are made, so I decided to go off the grid for a little while and get used to making good decisions.”
He closed his post with a message to his fans, saying, “I have one favor to ask, I appreciate those who still see something in me and have defended me 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.”
Click below to watch Wallen’s complete video statement.
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Wallen has faced extensive backlash following his use of the racial slur. On February 3, one day after the video surfaced, his label, Big Loud, revealed that his recording contract had been suspended indefinitely. Additionally, his music was pulled from hundreds of radio stations across the country and removed from major playlists across various DSPs, including Spotify and Apple Music. The Academy of Country Music revealed that he is ineligible for the upcoming ACM Awards and will not be invited to participate in the show. His content and appearances were also removed from CMT and the Country Music Association and Wallen was dropped by his booking agent, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME).
Meanwhile, sales of his latest album, Dangerous: The Double Album, skyrocketed. The project reigns at the top of Billboard’s all-genre albums chart for the fourth consecutive week. According to Billboard the album sold 25,000 copies throughout the week ending on February 4, which is an increase of 102% according to MRC Data. Additionally, the album’s streaming numbers went up 3% and song downloads from the album increased by 67%.
Wallen did specifically share what’s next for him, however, he did say that’s all on his shoulders now.
“The time of my return is solely upon me and the work I put in. I still have a lot of really good people in my corner trying to help me and I appreciate them more than you know. I appreciate you more than you know,” he says. “This entire situation is ugly right now but I’ll keep searching for a way to become an example instead of being made one.”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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