Morgan Wallen’s Mom Tells Fans To ‘Turn Off’ Their TVs Following the Singer’s Three Billboard Music Awards Wins
“Don’t watch the filth that will be shown on the Billboard Award show,” she wrote.
Morgan Wallen is a three-time Billboard Music Awards winner.
On Sunday (May 23), it was announced that the “More Than My Hometown” singer won three BBMAs: Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album for Dangerous: The Double Album.
Although he has dominated with these wins and was a finalist in three additional categories, Wallen will not be allowed to perform or appear on Sunday’s broadcast on NBC. This decision was made as a result of the incident that occurred on Jan. 31, during which Wallen was recorded using the N-word outside of his Nashville home.
To answer some of the burning questions about Wallen’s eligibility for Billboard nominations and performances, dick clark productions, which produces the Billboard Music Awards, released a statement to explain the decision.
“Unique among awards shows, Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard Charts, and are not chosen by a voting committee or membership organization,” Dick Clark Productions said in a statement. “BBMA finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music (including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, social engagement), tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data. With our content reaching millions of viewers, dcp and MRC have the privilege and responsibility to effect change by creating a more inclusive dialogue in our productions and across the industry.”
“Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting,” the organization went on to say. “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).”
Dick Clark Productions also made note of the positive strides Wallen is making to amend his previous actions and promised to review their decision for future award shows.
“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.”
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Many friends, fans and family members, including Wallen’s mom, have shown their support for him during this time. His mom, Lesli Wallen, took to Instagram on Sunday to share her thoughts the statement by dick clark and the decision to keep her son out of the show.
“Turn off your tv tonight,” Lesli wrote. “Don’t watch the filth that will be shown on the Billboard Award show. After all @morganwallen doesn’t meet their ‘Core Values.’”
Lesli’s post received hundreds of comments, with many fans promising to stream Morgan Wallen’s album rather than watching the show.
The 2021 Billboard Music Awards show will air live tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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