Unsurprisingly, Morgan Wallen is no longer the guest performer for this weekend’s Saturday Night Live (Oct 10). After Tik Tok and Instagram videos of The Voice alum partying last weekend went viral, his dismissal seemed inevitable.
In an Instagram video recorded Wednesday night (Oct 7) in New York City, an extremely contrite Morgan informed his fans SNL removed him from the show.
“I was getting ready for SNL this Saturday and I got a call from the show letting me know that I will no longer be able to play,” said Morgan. “And that’s because of Covid protocols, which I understand.”
Morgan admits his actions were “shortsighted”
Morgan stressed that he didn’t have Covid. “But my actions just past weekend were pretty short-sighted and they’ve obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams.”
In the videos that surfaced, taken on a visit to Alabama, Morgan is seen downing drinks in crowded bars and kissing and hugging pretty girls. Morgan partied like the coronavirus pandemic didn’t exist. If he caught the virus over the weekend, it might not show up on a test right away. Really, SNL had no choice but to ditch him.
But now, Morgan is chastened, and following the PR playbook by apologizing sincerely and promising to do better. I don’t mean to be cynical, however. He really seems to know that his actions last weekend were stupid and self-sabotaging.
“I respect that show’s decision because I know that I put them in jeopardy and I take ownership for this,” Morgan said. “I’d like to apologize to SNL, to my fans, to my team for bringing me these opportunities and I let ’em down.”
The last step in the PR playbook is a promise to disappear and work on himself for awhile.
“I think I lost myself a little bit,” said Morgan
“I think I have some growing up to do,” admits Morgan. “You know, I think I’ve lost myself a little bit. I’ve tried to find joy in the wrong places and…it’s left me with less joy. So I’m gonna go try to work on that. I’m going to take a step back from the spotlight for a little while and go work on myself.”
Producer Lorne Michaels is open to giving Morgan another shot
Morgan expresses remorse: “I wish I could have made country music and my fans proud this Saturday, but I respect the decision.” Of course, there is always room for redemption. “Lorne Michaels actually gave me a lot of encouragement, by letting me know that we’ll find another time to make this up. So that means a lot to me. Thank you for that.”
He ends by noting that he’s taken a lot of heat over his actions. But thanks the fans who have offered words of encouragement.
Check out the video below.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGDvWpAniWw/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
