Morgan Wallen may be nominated for a CMA Award, but he won’t be there to accept it if he wins: he’s been banned from attending.
Wallen was embroiled in scandal earlier this year after a video surfaced of him using a racial slur, resulting in radio stations dropping his music and his record label suspending him. He also wasn’t eligible for any individual categories, such as Entertainer of the Year, at the CMAs.
Some may ask why his album, Dangerous: The Double Album, which is nominated for Album of the Year, wasn’t banned from receiving any awards as well. Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, explained to the Los Angeles Times,
“The decision, ultimately, was the man would not be allowed, but the music and the people who were part of it [songwriters and producers] could be eligible. That made his music eligible in five categories, and ultimately, he was nominated in one.”
Trahern added, “This is the first time in the history of the CMA, to my knowledge, anyone has ever been disqualified for conduct. Honoring him as an individual this year is not right, and he will not be allowed on the red carpet, on our stage, or be celebrated in any way.”
The 55th annual CMA Awards will air Wednesday, November 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on ABC. You can see the full list of nominees right here!
