by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: October 9, 2024
6 min read
6 min read
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Country music star Morgan Wallen has made headlines not just for his music, but also for a series of incidents that have landed him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Most recently, Wallen was arrested after allegedly throwing a chair off the rooftop of Eric Church’s bar, Chief’s, in Nashville.
While this might seem like an isolated event, it’s only the latest in a string of controversies surrounding the singer. Despite these incidents, Wallen’s fan base continues to grow, with many loyal supporters standing by him.
However, as the list of public missteps gets longer, questions arise about how these incidents will impact his career in the long run.
From a chair-throwing incident to his third arrest, let’s take a look at Wallen’s rocky relationship with the law and public opinion.
In what can only be described as a surreal moment during one of Wallen’s “ One Thing at a Time ” tour stops in Tampa, Florida, a fan attempted to get him to sign a chair. Yes, you read that right—a chair.
This odd request immediately caught the attention of concert-goers and social media users alike, as it seemed to reference Wallen’s recent April 2024 arrest in Nashville, where he was charged with reckless endangerment after throwing a chair from the rooftop of a bar.
Wallen, clearly aware of the significance of the moment, noticeably ignored the chair among the items fans had tossed onto the stage for him to sign. The incident was quickly picked up by fans in the crowd, who reported that the chair likely came from the VIP section of the venue.
Social media users also chimed in, questioning how someone even managed to get a chair into the stadium in the first place. This moment of avoidance on Wallen’s part likely stems from his ongoing legal issues.
His April 2024 arrest in Nashville resulted in charges of felony reckless endangerment after the chair he threw landed near two police officers. Wallen is set to face these charges in a court hearing scheduled for December 2024.
Wallen’s encounter with the law in April 2024 isn’t the first time the singer has been caught in controversy. His legal and public image issues date back several years, with each incident drawing significant media attention.
The first major incident occurred in May 2020, when Wallen was arrested outside Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse in downtown Nashville.
He was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct after allegedly kicking glass items inside the bar and engaging in verbal altercations with people on the street.
Though the charges were eventually dropped, the incident was an early indicator of Wallen’s struggles with maintaining a clean public image.
In October 2020, Wallen’s behavior once again drew public criticism when videos surfaced of him partying maskless in packed Alabama bars, during a time when strict COVID-19 restrictions were in place.
His actions led to the cancellation of what was supposed to be his debut appearance on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), with NBC opting to replace him with Jack White .
Wallen’s response to the backlash was to issue an apology via Instagram, admitting his actions were “short-sighted” and that they had impacted his career goals.
Perhaps the most damaging incident to Wallen’s career occurred in February 2021, when a video surfaced of the singer using a racial slur. Captured by a neighbor, the footage showed Wallen addressing a friend with the N-word after a night out in Nashville.
The video’s release led to swift and widespread backlash, with radio stations, streaming services, and even his record label distancing themselves from Wallen.
Wallen apologized publicly, expressing regret and stating that there were no excuses for his behavior. He also shared that he was working on bettering himself and that he had engaged in conversations with leaders from the Black community. Despite this, the damage to his reputation was significant.
Wallen continued to face professional consequences for his previous actions when he was barred from attending the 2021 American Music Awards (AMAs), despite receiving nominations in two categories.
Show producers released a statement clarifying that Wallen’s behavior did not align with their values, and thus he would not be allowed to attend the event in any capacity, including performing or accepting any awards.
Date | Incident | Outcome |
---|---|---|
May 2020
|
Arrested at Kid Rock’s Bar for public intoxication and disorderly conduct | Charges were dropped, but the incident drew negative media attention |
October 2020
|
Caught breaking COVID-19 restrictions by partying without a mask | Lost his spot on “SNL” and was replaced by Jack White |
February 2021
|
Caught using a racial slur in a video | Faced major industry backlash, with radio stations and streaming platforms pulling his music; also suspended by his record label |
October 2021
|
Barred from attending the American Music Awards | Despite being nominated, he was not allowed to attend due to previous behavior |
April 2024
|
Arrested after throwing a chair off a rooftop bar, narrowly missing police officers | Facing felony reckless endangerment charges, with a court date scheduled for December 2024 |
Morgan Wallen’s career has been marked by a series of legal troubles and controversies that have significantly impacted his public image .
While his fan base remains loyal, Wallen’s repeated missteps, from throwing a chair off a rooftop to being caught using a racial slur, raise questions about how long his career can withstand the weight of these incidents.
Lover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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