Morgan Wallen returns on-stage after 2019. Image Source: NME
The Billboard Music Awards 2022 were held on Sunday, May 15th, 2022 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony was aired live on NBC and was hosted by Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Morgan Wallen was one of the performers for the evening who returned on-stage for the first time after he received backlash for using a racial slur in a video that appeared in 2019 in which he is heard drunk calling a friend the N-word and other expletives that went viral and he was canceled.
Morgan Wallen, after his performance at the Billboard Stage, spoke to Entertainment Tonight where he performed "Don’t Think Jesus" and said that it was inspired by his experiences over the last couple of years. Morgan said that the song sort of speaks to his story of ten years, but mainly the past couple of years, and he added that the song is a huge representation of a lot of things that he has been through and the attitude with which he has approached it.
Morgan mentioned that he is hopeful that what he wanted to showcase on stage came across the way it was. The singer, who was accepted after a thorough background check, stated that he had received support from Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and host Diddy, who has stated that he wants to un-cancel the singer. He mentioned a special appreciation for Diddy and mentioned in the interview that he had never spoken to him, but the way he supported him meant a lot to the country singer.
The country singer also said that he is thankful to Eric Church and Jason Aldean for their support, as it’s nice to have people who mean it when they say that they are your friends. Morgan Wallen took the stage and performed his hit songs, including "Don’t Think Jesus", a ballad that depicted that one can find forgiveness after making a stream of bad choices in life, and continued with "Wasted On You."
The country singer was not invited to the Billboard Music Awards 2021 after the video went viral, but even then he went ahead to win three awards. After the video went viral, Morgan apologized, saying he was embarrassed and extremely sorry, and he admitted to using an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that he should not have used. Morgan said that there are no excuses for using such language and he’d sincerely want to apologize to people and want to do better. Morgan Wallen also won the award for Top Country Artist, which was presented by rapper Pusha T.
Morgan Wallen, while accepting the award, said that he wanted to thank God and the fans, who are the best. The singer also appreciated his mother, who had accompanied him to the ceremony. He also went ahead to thank Billboard for extending the invitation to him, and he decided not to mention last year’s incident. Morgan concluded his speech by thanking his little boy and saying that he inspires him every day.
During an interview on Good Morning America at the time, Morgan Wallen mentioned that after the video went viral, he checked into rehab, connected with organization leaders, and donated roughly $500,000 from album sales.
Dick Clark Productions explained last year that no one is trying to cancel Morgan Wallen forever but added that people should be aware. The production house also mentioned that it is heartening and encouraging to know that Morgan Wallen is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work and concluded that they are planning to evaluate the country singer's progress and will consider his participation in future shows.
Other than Morgan Wallen, Travis Scott also made his first televised performance after his Astroworld Festival tragedy, which led to him receiving massive backlash as at the festival, ten people passed away. Travis Scott performed "Mafia" on stage. Diddy had advocated for un-canceling for both artists and said that Travis went through a tragedy and Morgan used the N-word while speaking to his son, but people make mistakes, and now we are all trying to move on with the utmost love and respect for each other. Diddy added that it’s time to forgive.
Travis Scott brought his girlfriend Kylie Jenner and their daughter Stormi as his date!
