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A week after being videotaped using a racial slur, Morgan Wallen released a lengthy video statement in which he addresses the controversy, says he has spoken to black community leaders, shares he is trying to get sober and admits that “my words matter. He also delivered a message directly to the fans who stood up for him: don’t do it.
“I have a favor to ask. I appreciate those who still see something in me and stood up for me. But for today, don’t. I was wrong. It’s up to me to take possession of it. And I fully accept any penalties I face, ”Wallen said in a video posted to Instagram Wednesday night, a week to the day after the country star lost radio and streaming support and his recording contract was suspended indefinitely after video of him using “N-word” appeared on TMZ.
Wallen admitted it was time to address the fans, his team and the industry that has berated him ever since. “I have long been looking forward to making a statement regarding my latest incident. I wanted to collect my thoughts, seek some real advice and come to you with a full thought before I did, ”Wallen said, continuing to say he was drunk in the video.
“You saw it was me at the 72nd hour of a 72 hour bender. And it’s not something I’m proud of either. Obviously, the natural thing to do is to apologize more and continue to apologize because you got caught. And that’s not what I wanted to do, ”he says. “Since this video was taken, I’ve been sober for nine days. It’s not that long, but you just have to know that the man in this video is not the man I’m trying to be.
Wallen also says he accepted invitations to meet with black organizations and executives. Last week, the Nashville Chapter of the NAACP and gospel singer BeBe Winans, an advisor to the performing rights organization BMI, offered to speak with Wallen about the power of his lyrics.
“I admit to you that I was quite nervous to accept these invitations,” Wallen said. “This week I personally heard personal stories from blacks that really rocked me. And I know what I’m going through this week doesn’t even compare to some of the lawsuits I’ve heard of.
“Our actions matter, our words matter,” Wallen continued. “And I just want to encourage everyone watching to learn from my mistakes.”
Read Wallen’s full statement below:
Hey everyone, it’s Morgan. I have long been looking forward to making a statement regarding my latest incident. I wanted to collect my thoughts, seek real guidance, and come to you with a complete thought before I did. I was notified of the video’s publication on TMZ with barely time to think about it before it went public. I was asked if I wanted to apologize, and of course I did. I wrote many detailed thoughts and only a portion of it was used which painted me in an even more carefree light. Hope I am here to show you that is not the truth.
The video you saw was me at 72 hour 72 from a bender. And it’s not something I’m proud of either. Obviously, the natural thing to do is to apologize more and continue to apologize because you got caught. And that’s not what I wanted to do.
I’ve let down so many people, who mean a lot to me, who have given me so much, and it just isn’t fair. I let my parents down and they are the furthest thing from the person in this video. I let my son down. I don’t agree with that.
So this week I waited to say anything more until I had the chance to apologize to my loved ones who I knew I had personally hurt. I’ve also accepted invitations from some amazing black organizations, executives, and leaders to engage in very real and honest conversations. I admit that I was quite nervous to accept these invitations. The very people I hurt had every right to step on my neck while I was on the ground… to show me no grace, but they did the exact opposite. They offered me grace, and they also associated that with an offer to learn and grow. And I’ll be honest, that kindness has really inspired me to dig deeper now, on how to do something about it. And one thing I’ve learned already, I’m especially sorry, is that it matters, my words matter. One word can really hurt a person, and in my heart it’s not the right fit for me.
This week I heard firsthand personal stories of black people that really rocked me. And I know what I’m going through this week doesn’t even compare to some of the lawsuits I’ve heard from them. I came away from these discussions with a deep appreciation for them and a clearer understanding of the weight of my words. I wish the circumstances were different for me to learn these things, but I’m also glad that this started the process for me to do it.
I have a lot more to learn but I already know that I don’t want to add to any divisions. This week has been a great lesson that sometimes we can exactly do without even knowing it. Our actions matter, our words matter. And I just want to encourage everyone watching to learn from my mistakes. There is no reason to minimize what I have done. It matters. And know that I carefully choose my next repair step.
I want to end this update on a more positive note. Since this video was taken, I’ve been sober for nine days. It’s not that long then, but you just have to know that the man in this video isn’t the man I’m trying to be. I’ve had this week to think about the times when I’m sober and I’m really proud of who I am and my actions, for the most part, in those times. When I look at the times when I’m not, it seems like this is where the majority of my mistakes are made.
So I decided to get off the grid a bit and get used to making good decisions. I want my team, family, friends, and even strangers to trust me. Damn, I want to trust myself. Who knows if I will be able to live with all the mistakes I made, but I will definitely try. I will spend time regaining control of my habits, living healthy and being proud of my actions.
And finally, I have a favor to ask you. I appreciate those who still see something in me and stood up for me, but for today, don’t. I was wrong. It’s up to me to take possession of it. And I fully accept all the sanctions that I am facing. When I return is entirely up to me and the work I do. I still have a lot of really good people in my corner trying to help me and I appreciate them more than you might think. I appreciate you more than you think. This whole situation is ugly right now, but I will continue to look for ways to be the example instead of one.
In closing, I’m not trying to be a holy-roller or anything, but this week I remembered a passage from Paul that always stood out to me. And I think maybe a moment like this is why. In early Corinthians 13-11 it says: “When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. That’s what I’ll do for the next little game. God protects you.
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