Morgan Wallen breaks silence and asks fans to stop defending him

Morgan Wallen broke his silence, eight days after a video was released that shows him using the N-word. He says that moment has come at the end of a 72-hour bender, and in a video message to fans posted on Wednesday night (February 10), Wallen apologizes and gives an update on what he’s doing to switch. He also asks those who defended him to stop doing it.

The emotional appeal on social media reveals that Wallen has been sober for nine days and sees his relationship with alcohol as toxic to the man he tries to be. Conversely, he’s proud of who he is when he’s sober, but acknowledges that he let down his family, friends and pro team – as well as his fans – the night this video was taken. He specifically calls his parents and toddler son, Indie, as people he has disappointed.

“I appreciate those who still see something in me and stood up for me,” Wallen says near the end of the five-minute video. “But for today, please don’t. I was wrong. It’s up to me to take possession of it. , and I fully accept any penalties I will face. “

Wallen, wearing a brown waistcoat over a gray long-sleeved t-shirt, appears to be reading prepared notes in this video, as he did while apologizing to fans after being forced to leave. Saturday Night Live in October after a maskless party weekend during the COVID-19 pandemic. He begins by explaining that his apology to TMZ – who made the video of him public using the racist insult on February 2 – was insufficient, in part because he had shortly after being informed of it, and in part. because only part of his apology has been published.

Words matter, Wallen said. Later, he repeats that he takes full responsibility for his actions and will accept the consequences.

“There’s no reason to downplay what I’ve done,” Wallen thought to himself. “It’s important, even though I choose my next steps carefully.”

Wallen’s statement does not include any specific ways he plans to make changes, or how he will spend his next few weeks. He says he will take some time away from the spotlight again and decide when to return.

“I want my family, my team, my friends and even strangers to trust me,” said the 27-year-old.

Several black executives and leaders offered to speak to Wallen, and perhaps even offer advice – invitations Wallen says he “was very nervous to accept.”

“The very people that I hurt, they had every right to step on my neck while I was on the ground, not to show me any grace. But they did exactly the opposite.

The video of Wallen using the N word was filmed by one of Wallen’s neighbors on the night of January 31. Sharing that the video was taken “72 hours out of 72 of a bender,” Wallen is hinting at something that looks like a problem drink for the first time.

Within 24 hours of TMZ’s story, Wallen had lost his booking agent and been taken off country radio, as well as being included on digital streaming playlists. The outcry from country fans was immediate, but divided, with some saying the consequences were more serious than his actions, calling it another example of cancellation culture.

Big Loud Records also suspended Wallen’s recording contract, but his music is still available in the same places as before. His new album spent a fourth consecutive week at No.1 on the Billboard 200 last week – an indication that fans weren’t united in anger and disgust.

Wallen’s next professional engagement is June 3, at the Tailgate N ‘Tallboys Festival in Illinois. He was previously attached to Luke Bryan’s summer tour, but it’s unclear if those dates will go as planned.