Morgan Wallen is being criticized for leaving the "SNL" stage during the end credits after he performed as the musical guest on March 29. (Photo Credits: Saturday Night Live - SNL / X)
Morgan Wallen Returns To SNL Nearly Five Years After Stirring Up Controversy Ahead Of His First Appearance
Morgan Wallen shared some of the songs from his upcoming album during his recent appearance on SNL. In addition to buzzing about his performances, viewers have taken to social media to discuss (and critique) his abrupt exit at the end of the show during the “Goodnights.”
Saturday Night Live, or SNL, is celebrating its landmark 50th season. In mid-March, the show revealed that Oscar winner Mikey Madison would host the episode airing on March 29. Wallen was named as the musical guest.
Wallen stirred up some controversy ahead of his first SNL appearance in 2020. He was supposed to appear on the show in October 2020, but was disinvited after social media posts showed him breaking COVID-19 protocols while partying in Alabama.
The “Love Somebody” singer apologized for his actions in a since-deleted Instagram video, saying:
“I’m not positive for COVID, but my actions this past weekend were pretty shortsighted and they have obviously affected my long term goals and my dreams. I respect the show’s decision, because I know that I put them in jeopardy and I take ownership for this.”
Wallen eventually made his SNL debut two months later, in December 2020. In addition to performing, Wallen participated in a skit that poked fun at the partying incident.
Wallen Generates Criticism And Confusion After Walking Offstage During SNL End Credits
Nearly five years after his first appearance, Wallen returned to SNL. The seven-time ACM Award nominee used the opportunity to showcase new songs from his next album.
For his first performance, Wallen sang the title track from his upcoming album, “I’m the Problem.” Later, he returned to sing another one of his new songs, “Just In Case.” During that song, the TV screen behind Wallen flashed part of the tracklist from I’m the Problem.
See both of Wallen’s SNL performances below.
Wallen’s SNL appearance generated some criticism online, but not because of his musical performances. Rather, viewers were upset after Wallen appeared to leave the stage during the end credits.
At the end of the show, Wallen stood by host Mikey Madison while she thanked him and everyone watching. She said, “Thank you so much to Morgan Wallen. I had a wonderful time. Thank you all.”
Wallen offered a quick salute to the crowd in response. As the credits rolled, Wallen said something to Madison, hugged her, and then walked off the front of the stage.
The rest of the cast and Madison remained onstage to celebrate and chat in typical SNL fashion. It’s unclear if Wallen came back to say goodbye to the cast after the cameras stopped rolling.
Wallen’s seemingly abrupt exit from SNL puzzled and even angered some viewers. See the posts below to get an idea of how people reacted to the situation.
Hmm, so having never missed an episode of SNL in decades, Morgan Wallen giving a quick wave, then walking off the stage during goodbyes was odd. #SNL50
Wow, Morgan Wallen just walking off the stage during the @nbcsnl credits? In decades of watching SNL, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that. For so many of us, that is sacred ground. What an asshole.
— Jeff Locker 傑夫 🦋 (he/him) (@jefflocker) March 30, 2025
Kinda weird that Morgan Wallen just… left the stage during goodbyes? Oof drama#SNL
Morgan Wallen is the first musical guest or host on SNL that I can recall who just walked off stage during ‘goodnights’ before the credits even started to roll
