Morgan Wallen Excluded From Billboard Music Awards Despite Six Nominations

Finalists for the Billboard Music Awards were revealed on Thursday (April 29) and Morgan Wallen is included in the mix, however, producers say the chart-topping country artist will not be allowed to participate the show. Wallen is a finalist in…

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Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski
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Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

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Posted on April 29, 2021

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Finalists for the Billboard Music Awards were revealed on Thursday (April 29) and Morgan Wallen is included in the mix, however, producers say the chart-topping country artist will not be allowed to participate the show.

Wallen is a finalist in six categories, which are based on chart performance throughout the past year. According to Billboard, dick clark productions, which produces the Billboard Music Awards, released a statement regarding Wallen on Thursday following the final nominee announcement.

The statement reads:

“Unique among awards shows, Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard charts, and are not chosen by a voting committee or membership organization. BBMA finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music (including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, social engagement), tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data. With our content reaching millions of viewers, dcp and MRC have the privilege and responsibility to effect change by creating a more inclusive dialogue in our productions and across the industry. Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting. As his recent conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting). It is heartening and encouraging to hear that Morgan is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work. We plan to evaluate his progress and will consider his participation in future shows.”

Wallen received 6 nominations, including two nods for Top Country Song for “Chasing You” and “More Than My Hometown,” Top Song Sales Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album for Dangerous: The Double Album and Top Country Artist. See a full list of the categories Wallen is nominated in below.

This is not the first time Wallen has been excluded from an awards show. The 2021 ACM Awards removed Wallen and deemed him ineligible for the show following his use of a racial slur.

The 2021 Billboard Music Awards are set to air Sunday, May 23, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

 

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Andrew Wendowski
Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

See more posts from Andrew Wendowski

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