Morgan Wallen claims he has “really worked on himself” in recent months, away from the limelight after the country music star was caught on camera swinging the N word in February.
The incident led to Wallen’s record label, Big Loud Records, suspending him and conglomerates like iHeartRadio pulling the 27-year-old’s music off their stations.
In addition, he was also deemed unfit for the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs) to be held in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, April 18.
Wallen took to social media to publish a handwritten apology, and while much of the writer focuses on the success of his January release, “Dangerous: The Double Album” – which had a top debut only surpassed by Taylor Swift’s version of “Fearless” – he opened up about the road. that he has traveled since his world collapsed.
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Although he said that what happened made him a better person, Wallen also told his fans that he will be taking a break from performing this summer.
“Lately I have felt a lot of love from so many people that I have not met yet”, Wallen began, thanking his fans who stood next to him. “I know my corner hasn’t been the most popular to stand in lately, but many of you have done it anyway.”
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Wallen claimed he had “made some mistakes” in 2020, calling it a “difficult year,” likely pointing to his public arrest for drunkenness in May and disorderly charges in September.
The country star was also scratched as an artist on “Saturday Night Live” after being seen partying at a bar with no social distance just days before his scheduled performance.
Morgan Wallen was caught on camera in February swinging the N word. (AP Photo / Sanford Myers, File)
“I am figuring it out and I apologized because I was really sorry and made up for it,” he wrote, although he did not specify what he had tried to correct.
Wallen added: “I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been away for a few months and feel like I’ve really worked on myself. I’m proud of the work I’ve done and in many ways thankful that I had the time to to do it. I need this free time. “
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He went on to write that he is always’ striving to get better ‘and that his time away from the spotlight not only helped him identify the ways he wants to improve but also’ reminded me that I am still very proud of who I am and the man I am becoming. “
“I found this time away to be very valuable to me in many ways, but I feel like I need a little more of it and therefore won’t be playing any tour dates this summer,” wrote Wallen, before encouraging fans to attend the planned events anyway. to go. dates of Luke Bryan’s tour and other festivals.
Morgan Wallen claims to have ‘really’ worked on herself in recent months. He added that he will not be doing any shows this summer. (Photo by Jason Kempin / ACMA2020 / Getty Images for ACM)
Billboards in support of Red Light District even surfaced in Nashville this week, calling him the fans’ choice for Entertainer of the Year.
Wallen insisted his story is “far from over” and he is eager to give his fans what they “deserve.”
“So just know you’ll see me sooner rather than later,” he wrote.
In a statement released in early February, ACM announced it had ruled out “Wallen’s potential involvement and eligibility for this year’s 56th Academy of Country Music Awards cycle.”
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“The Academy does not condone or endorse bigotry or behavior that is inconsistent with our commitment and commitment to diversity and commitment,” the statement continued, pledging to accelerate the diversity training available to the country music artist community.
Finally, the Academy said they would review their “award conditions and submission process” to ensure that “the nominees consistently reflect the integrity of the Academy”.
After a video of Wallen’s incident appeared on the internet in February, he strongly apologized for his actions.
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“I’m ashamed and sorry,” said Wallen in a statement shared with Fox News.
“I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racist insult that I wish I could take back,” he continued. ‘There are never excuses for using this kind of language. I would like to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better. ‘
Fox News’ Melissa Roberto contributed to this report.