Morgan Wallen performed at the Billboard Music Awards Sunday night (May 15) where he took home the award for Top Country Male Artist. At no point during the event did Wallen acknowledge his use of a racist slur last year or being banned from the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
During his performance, Wallen sang renditions of “Wasted on You” from Dangerous: The Double Album and his new song “Don’t Thank Jesus” which he released last month. The latter track is about turning to religion after regretful, alcoholic behavior because Jesus forgives whereas other people do not. “I think that kind of just speaks for my story — 10 years, but especially the past couple. I feel like that song is really a big representation of a lot of things that I’ve been through and the attitude that I’ve approached it with. So I hope that comes across,” he told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet beforehand.
During his acceptance speech for Top Country Male Artist, Wallen shook the hand of Pusha T (who presented the trophy) and listed off a series of thank you’s:
Wallen was banned from attending or performing at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards after video emerged of the country singer using a racist and anti-Black slur. He still won three awards at the 2021 BBMAs based on Billboard chart performance data. Wallen was also suspended indefinitely by his label Big Loud Records following his use of the racist language, momentarily pulled from country radio, and was taken out of contention for the 2021 Country Music Awards and 2021 American Music Awards.
Upon announcing Wallen as a performer for the 2022 BBMAs, event producer MRC Live & Alternative offered the following statement to Billboard:
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