KEY POINTS

  • The Academy of Country Music announced that Morgan Wallen won't be part of this year's ACM Awards
  • ACM said it won't condone behavior that doesn't align with its "commitment and dedication to diversity"
  • Wallen apologized for using the N-word a day before ACM announced its decision

Morgan Wallen was expected to receive several major nominations at this year's Academy of Country Music Awards, but a penalty from the organization for using a racial slur over the weekend has now made him ineligible to receive nods.

The Academy of Country Music announced that it will "halt" Wallen's "involvement and eligibility" in the 56th ACM Awards, which will be held on April 18, after a video of the 27-year-old country singer saying the N-word made the rounds online.

"We have made his management team aware of this decision," ACM said in a statement Wednesday. "The Academy does not condone or support intolerance or behavior that doesn't align with our commitment and dedication to diversity and inclusion."

The organization will also "expedite the offering of long-planned diversity training resources" for ACM membership, board, staff and country music artist community. It will review the eligibility and submissions to reflect its integrity as well.

"As a result of this unprecedented situation, the Academy will be reviewing our awards eligibility and submission process, ensuring our nominees consistently reflect the Academy's integrity," the statement concluded.

The video that sparked outrage was captured by a neighbor's doorbell camera and showed Wallen, while being dropped off at a house, telling a friend to "take care of this... (slur)." He was apparently referring to one of his drunk friends.

Shortly after the video was shared by TMZ Tuesday, Wallen admitted his mistake and apologized.

"I'm embarrassed and sorry, I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back," he said in a statement to People. "There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.”

In October, Wallen also lost his supposed musical guest gig at "Saturday Night Live" days before his scheduled performance after breaking COVID-19 protocols. He was removed from the list of performers and was replaced by Jack White of the White Stripes after he was seen in TikTok videos partying without a mask on and kissing multiple women.

At the time, Wallen apologized for the incident and said he would take a step back from the spotlight to work on himself.

"I’m not positive for COVID, but my actions this past weekend were pretty short-sighted and they’ve obviously affected my long term goal and my dreams," he said. "I know that I put them in jeopardy, and I take ownership of this."

Morgan Wallen
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 11: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Morgan Wallen accepts and award onstage during the The 54th Annual CMA Awards at Nashville’s Music City Center on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMA