Morgan Wallen: ‘I Was Never That Guy People Were Portraying Me To Be’

Morgan Wallen has opened up in a new interview in Billboard this week, and among the many subjects he touched on was the now infamous February 2021 incident where TMZ published a video of a drunk Morgan using a racial slur. At the time, the backlash was swift, with radio pulling his songs, his booking agency dropping him, and awards shows deciding against nominating him.

Fast forward almost three years, and Morgan, a 2023 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee, has recovered with no real damage to his massive career. In November, he completed a huge stadium tour, selling out multiple nights in several cities.

Wallen told Billboard of the 2021 incident, "There's no excuse. I've never made an excuse. I never will make an excuse." Morgan said that he's talked to many people and heard "stories about things" that he would have never thought about because "I wasn't the one going through it." He said that in his heart, he was "never that guy that people were portraying me to be." Wallen also said that the whole thing made him "mad a little bit" because he knew he shouldn't have said it, but he was "really not that guy.'"

Morgan admitted that he put himself in a "s--- spot" and really "messed up." He noted that if he was that guy, "I wouldn't have cared" and "I wouldn't have apologized."

Wallen also told the publication that he learned from it "how much that people listen to me" and "how much my words matter."

The 2021 incident wasn't his first brush with trouble. In May 2020, he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct at Kid Rock's Nashville bar. That same year, Saturday Night Live revoked its invitation to perform after he violated the show's COVID-19 safety protocols.

Nearly three years later, Morgan says, "That person is definitely not the same person I am now."

Wallen also talked about the mass of his fame, saying he can't do normal things like go to the grocery store. He also notes that he has to go through back doors to go to the doctor. He says he still tries to have as much normalcy as possible.

Morgan said adjusting to fame has been a challenge and that he has a new use for his hunting camo gear, wearing it and face paint at times so he can "sneak around" and not be recognized by fans. He isn't complaining, though, saying that his life is all about playing shows and hanging out with his three-year-old son, and he is "happy as hell" with that.

Morgan Wallen spent the majority of his childhood playing baseball. Through that love of sports, he founded the Morgan Wallen Foundation in 2021, which, according to the website, is "based on the importance of sports and music opportunities for youth and the value of community service." Wallen has given back many times since he founded his foundation.

The website explained, 'Through baseball,Morgan learned about teamwork, commitment, hard work, and drive. These values have been critical to his success as a country artist. Music was a sense of joy – from singing with his sisters in church to playing the violin – music allowed Morgan to cultivate his artistic creativity. His parents saw the importance of these activities and found a way to create access for their kids. It wasn’t always easy, but they made it a priority."

After his latest donation to Nashville area youth baseball, Morgan said, "I started the Morgan Wallen Foundation to support youth in two areas - sports and music. When I heard about Parkwood, right here in Nashville, I knew I wanted to help. Every child deserves a chance to play ball and be part of a team, and I truly appreciate this opportunity to be part of Parkwood's next inning. I can't wait to come back out here and see the park once it has been renovated."

Over the course of just two years, the foundation has donated millions of dollars; it began with a donation in his hometown of Sneedville, Tennessee, and has spread across the country. MWF has donated funds to rehabilitate sports facilities, baseball fields, sports equipment, music programs, and instruments.

On Wallen's  2022 "Dangerous Tour," MWF supplied 500,000 meals across tour stops to help combat food insecurity during natural disasters in the US.

We take a look at the country superstar's kindness with four donations he has made since his foundation began.

Photo - Leila Grossman

Wallen, along with Major League Baseball and the  MLB Players Association Youth Development Foundation (MLB-MLBPA YDF) and other local funders, has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville to lead the community revitalization of the historic Black baseball and softball complex, Parkwood Community Club, in north Nashville. MLB-MLBPA YDF and Morgan Wallen Foundation have joined forces to donate $500k each, totaling $1 million invested in the project.

Photo - David Lear

During Morgan's "One Night At A Time World Tour" he played two back-to-back nights at Chicago's Wrigley Field; he celebrated the final night (June 23) at the home of the Chicago Cubs backstage with students from the nearby Baker and Bowen High Schools. He presented a check for $100k from The Morgan Wallen Foundation for revitalizing South Chicago's Bessemer Park baseball field.

Wallen said, "We are thrilled to donate $100k to Bessemer Park to give the kids a place to play ball here in South Chicago," said Wallen. "This donation, combined with being back on stage performing for my fans tonight at Wrigley, is a true doubleheader for me."

Photo - Happy Monday

Gibbs High School graduate Morgan didn't just surprise seniors with a concert – he left behind a gift in the form of $35,000 for the school's band, chorus, and baseball programs.

It was a night the senior class nor Wallen are likely to forget. From a surprise presentation of a 2021 championship ring by baseball coach Jeff Davis to having his parents, son, and both grandmothers in the crowd, Wallen reflected, "This is so cool. There are a lot of special people here. Having graduated in 2011, I wasn't sure how I'd feel coming back - but this place will always hold a special place in my heart."

Coach Steven Wilson said the team has been through a lot this year (2022) since the Waverly floods last August, and he said if Morgan Wallen didn't help their team out financially, then they wouldn't have been able to go to the World Series.

Morgan said in part to the Tennessee baseball team of 11 and 12-year-olds from Humphreys County in a video, "From my team to yours, we want to send y'all to South Carolina."