ACM Awards: Morgan Wallen Wins Album of the Year One Year After Controversy
etonline.comMorgan Wallen won big at the Academy of Country Music Awards Monday night. The 28-year-old singer took home the Album of the Year Award for, one year after his major controversy.Wallen, who was nominated for four ACM awards Monday, was banned from the academy's 2021 show after he was caught on camera using a racial slur.
Wallen has since apologized. Soon after video of the incident was made public, Wallen was suspended indefinitely from his label, Big Loud Records, and dropped from WME, according to multiple reports.
Radio stations, including those owned by iHeartMedia, Entercom and Cumulus Media, removed Wallen's music from their playlists.Wallen shared his gratitude for being given the honor in his acceptance speech, thanking the songwriters, producers and musicians that played on the album, as well as his family and his fans for showing him «grace along the way» as he worked to overcome the controversy.«I'd also like to thank my good lord and savior Jesus Christ, my family, my friends, my team in Nashville, country radio and everyone who has shown me grace along the way,» Wallen said. «Most importantly, I have to address my fans personally and directly: thank you, thank you, thank you!»After Monday's show, ET's Cassie DiLaura spoke to another big winner and Wallen's best friend, HARDY, who took home the Songwriter of the Year Award.
The 31-year-old songwriter shared what it meant for him to see Wallen take home the monumental win.«Me and my fiancé cried I think, more over that award than this one,» HARDY said of Wallen's big win. «It means a lot for him.
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