Morgan Wallen barred from ACM awards eligibility over use of racial slur
Country music star Morgan Wallen has been barred from potential eligibility and involvement in this year’s Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards cycle, the latest repercussion in the fallout over a video showing him using a racial slur.
The academy made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the ACM “does not condone or support intolerance or behavior that doesn’t align with our commitment and dedication to diversity and inclusion.”
The organization said it was planning to “expedite” plans to offer diversity training resources for ACM members, staff and the artists in the country music community.
“As a result of this unprecedented situation, the Academy will be reviewing our awards eligibility and submission process, ensuring our nominees consistently reflect the Academy’s integrity,” the statement concluded.
— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) February 3, 2021
Wallen was nominated in 2020 for new artist of the year and was expected to be on the shortlist of nominees for the upcoming show including male artist of the year, single of the year and song of the year, according to Billboard.
The first round of voting for the 2021 ACM Awards has already concluded. The awards are set to air April 18 on CBS.
Shortly after the ACM made its announcement, rival awards organization the Country Music Association announced that it was removing Wallen’s digital content from its platforms.
“We support our Country Music partners for taking swift action,” CMA wrote in a statement.
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) February 3, 2021
Wallen was also removed by CMT, and his record company Big Loud Records released a statement saying it was suspending his contract.
“Such behavior” the company said, “will not be tolerated.”
Cumulus Media, a broadcasting company and one of the country’s biggest radio station owners, reportedly sent a directive to managers instructing them to remove Wallen’s songs from their playlists “without exception,” according to Variety.
The 27-year-old performer has faced a whirlwind of backlash after TMZ posted a video of him using a racial slur after a night out in Nashville over the weekend.
In the footage, Wallen appears to be saying an expletive-filled goodbye to friends, telling them to “take care of this … [N-word].”
“I’m embarrassed and sorry,” Wallen said in a statement. “I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever.”
“I promise to do better,” he added.
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