What's happened
Morgan Wallen missed the 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards to spend time with Tom Brady on May 8, 2025. Despite being a top nominee, Wallen did not attend the event, which saw Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson take home multiple awards.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Wallen's Absence: Morgan Wallen's choice to skip the ACM Awards to hang out with Tom Brady raises questions about his commitment to the country music community.
- Award Show Dynamics: Wallen was nominated for six categories but lost to newcomers like Ella Langley, indicating a shift in the industry.
- Controversial History: Wallen's previous controversies, including a racial slur incident and a dramatic exit from 'Saturday Night Live', continue to overshadow his career.
Implications:
- Industry Relationships: Wallen's actions may alienate him from industry peers and fans who value attendance at such events.
- Future of Awards: The ACM Awards showcased new talent, suggesting a potential shift in focus towards emerging artists over established names like Wallen.
- Public Perception: Continued controversies could impact Wallen's public image and future nominations, as fans and industry insiders react to his choices.
What the papers say
According to the New York Post, Morgan Wallen skipped the ACM Awards to play football with Tom Brady, posting on Instagram, 'Had a little mustard on it @tombrady.' This decision comes despite Wallen being one of the most-nominated artists at the event. Meanwhile, AP News highlighted the significance of the ACM Awards, noting that Ella Langley led the nominations and won multiple awards, reflecting a changing landscape in country music. The Independent echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the performances and the celebratory atmosphere of the event, contrasting Wallen's absence with the achievements of new artists.
How we got here
Morgan Wallen, a prominent figure in country music, has faced scrutiny for skipping major award shows in the past. His absence from the ACM Awards follows a pattern of avoiding high-profile events despite multiple nominations.
Go deeper
- What awards did Ella Langley win?
- Why did Wallen skip the ACM Awards?
- How has Wallen's career been affected by controversies?
More on these topics
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
Keith Lionel Urbahn AO is a New Zealand-born Australian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer, known for his work in country music.
-
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band, on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos.
-
Morgan Cole Wallen is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is signed to Big Loud Records and has released six singles: "The Way I Talk", "Up Down", which features Florida Georgia Line, "Whiskey Glasses", "Chasin' You", "More Than My Hometow
-
Texas is a state in the South Central Region of the United States. It is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population.
-
Cody Daniel Johnson is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has self-released six albums followed by a major label album Ain't Nothin' to It. He will release his second major label album, Human The Double Album, in October 2021.
-
Lainey Wilson is an American country music singer–songwriter. Wilson performed from an early age, before going to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career as a country performer.