Why did Morgan Wallen walk off the 'SNL' stage early? Everything to know
Morgan Wallen's abrupt exit from "Saturday Night Live" has caused quite a stir on social media. But why did the country star leave the show early?
Here's what we know.
Did Morgan Wallen walk off 'SNL'?
Wallen served as the musical guest during Saturday's "SNL" episode hosted by actor Mikey Madison. At the end of the episode, Wallen abruptly walked off the stage during the show's signoff.
According to Paste BN, the cast and musical guest traditionally stay on stage at the end of "SNL" each week. They are typically seen saying goodbye and hugging one another as the credits roll. However, on Saturday, Wallen left the stage immediately after Madison said goodnight.
He was seen briefly hugging the "Anora" star before walking toward the audience and past the view of the camera.
What did Morgan Wallen say at the end of 'SNL'?
Entertainment Weekly reports that at the end of the show, Madison thanked the country star for his performance, stating, "Thanks to Morgan Wallen. I had a wonderful time."
Following her remarks, Wallen saluted the crowd, gave Madison a quick hug and walked off stage instead of hanging out with the cast members.
Madison and the rest of the cast remained onstage for the remainder of the credits. Afterward, Wallen posted a photo of a plane on his Instagram Stories and wrote, "Get me to God's country."
Paste BN, an Enquirer sister site, reached out to representatives for Wallen for comment.
'SNL' writer Josh Patten seemingly threw shade at Morgan Wallen
'SNL' writer Josh Patten added a photo to his Instagram Stories on Sunday seemingly poking fun at Wallen's previous post. Patten shared a picture of a Krispy Kreme delivery truck with the phrase "get me to God's Country."
Patten, however, shared another photo of his Apple Replay from 2023, which showed that four of his top played tracks that year were songs performed by Wallen, proving he has no beef with the country singer.
Why did Morgan Wallen walk off 'SNL'?
The reason for Wallen's early exit from "SNL" remains unknown.
Wallen was previously a musical guest on "SNL" in 2020. During that earlier appearance, he remained onstage during the closing credits, hugging and sharing high fives with members of the cast.
Who is Morgan Wallen?
Morgan Wallen is a country pop singer and songwriter from Sneedville, Tennessee. He rose to fame after competing on season 6 of "The Voice."
Wallen won the Entertainer of the Year award at the 2024 CMAs, beating out Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson. He also earned seven nominations at the 2024 CMA Awards, the most of any artist last year.
Wallen's previous musical guest appearance on "SNL" in 2020 came after he was uninvited from the show earlier that year after videos surfaced showing him partying without a mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
And Wallen's "SNL" appearance isn't the only time the singer has come under fire.
Wallen was also arrested on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct in May 2020 after he got kicked out of Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse in Nashville.
In February 2021, Big Loud Records announced it had suspended Wallen's recording contract after the singer was captured on film drunkenly shouting a racial slur. Wallen was also dropped by his agency at the time, William Morris Endeavour. He later released a statement saying he was "embarrassed and sorry" for his actions.
"I think I was just ignorant about it," Wallen said of his use of the slur in an exclusive interview with Michael Strahan on "Good Morning America" in 2021. "I don't think I sat down and was, like, 'Hey, is this right or is this wrong?'"
Last year, Wallen also pled guilty to misdemeanor reckless endangerment after throwing a chair off the roof of a bar.
Paste BN's Natalie Neysa Alund contributed to this report.