Though Morgan Wallen is a double-nominee heading into the American Music Awards on Nov. 21, airing on ABC, the singer-songwriter is prohibited from attending.
On Thursday (Oct. 28), when the nominees were announced for this year’s AMAs, Wallen’s name landed in the favorite male country artist category, while his best-selling project Dangerous: The Double Album is nominated for favorite country album.
However, a statement on behalf of MRC Live & Alternative notes: “Morgan Wallen is a nominee this year based on charting. As his conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting).” In February, video emerged of Wallen using a racial slur.
The statement also notes that the awards’ organizers will consider Wallen’s participation in future American Music Awards shows as they “evaluate his progress in doing meaningful work as an ally to the Black community.”
Wallen’s representative did not immediately respond to Billboard’s request for comment.
AMA nominations are based on data points tracked by Billboard, as well as data partners MRC Data and Next Big Sound, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay and social activity. The winners are determined solely by fan voting.
The American Music Awards seem to have taken a similar stance to the Country Music Association, which allowed Wallen to be nominated this year, but stated that he is not invited to the Nov. 10 show (though at the CMA Awards, Wallen is only nominated in the collaborative album of the year category for Dangerous: The Double Album, not in solo categories such as male artist of the year).
Earlier this year, Wallen was banned from both attending and being nominated during the CMT Music Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards. Wallen was also barred from attending this year’s Billboard Music Awards, though he was allowed to be nominated and ultimately won top country artist, top country male artist and top country album (for Dangerous: The Double Album).
While awards shows continue to disallow Wallen to attend ceremonies, country radio has welcomed Wallen back to their playlists after briefly banning his music from rotation. Wallen’s latest single, “Sand in My Boots,” has reached the top 20 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
The American Music Awards are produced by MRC Live & Alternative, which is owned by MRC. MRC and Penske Media are co-parent companies of Billboard.
