Morgan Wallen’s Early Exit from SNL Sparks Speculation

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Country star Morgan Wallen‘s abrupt departure from the “Saturday Night Live” stage on March 29 during the show’s 50th season has ignited speculation about his experience on the popular sketch show. Wallen, appearing for the second time, performed two songs from his upcoming album, which is anticipated to be one of the year’s biggest releases.

Host Mikey Madison, known for her role in FX‘s “Better Things” and the film “Anora,” marked her debut as SNL host, while Wallen’s musical return follows a series of past controversies. Notably, he was originally scheduled to perform in October 2020 but was removed from the lineup for violating COVID-19 protocols.

Viewers noticed Wallen’s quick exit during the show’s customary closing moment, which typically involves cast members and musical guests sharing a warm farewell with the audience. While he briefly acknowledged the crowd and hugged Madison, he swiftly walked off stage, a rarity for a musical guest. Long-time SNL fans noted that such abrupt departures are seldom seen.

Following the show, Wallen stirred conversation with a cryptic Instagram post featuring a photo of his private jet captioned, “Get me to God’s country.” This prompted speculation, with some fans questioning whether it reflected dissatisfaction with his experience on SNL. Others argued he might have been unaware of the potential implications of his actions.

While reactions varied, insiders close to Wallen clarified to Variety that there was no tension between the star and the show, explaining that the early exit was unintentional. They noted Wallen had been using the same exit route throughout rehearsals without considering its visual reception.

His social media habits contribute to the ongoing discussion; Wallen, known for being selective about what he shares, has often skipped public acknowledgments of major professional milestones.

Echoing the commentary online, some social media users speculated on cast members’ reactions during Wallen’s exit. Screenshots of Ego Nwodim and Kenan Thompson exchanging glances fueled further debate, as observers interpreted their reactions as either amused or awkward.

This performance was Wallen’s first return to SNL since being embroiled in a scandal in 2021 where he was recorded using a racial slur. Following the incident, he faced temporary bans from major radio stations and awards shows. Nevertheless, Wallen has since regained commercial success, with his albums achieving significant sales milestones. “Dangerous: The Double Album” is the top-selling album of the century to date, while his latest project, “One Thing at a Time,” has ranked in the top 10 on Billboard charts.

His upcoming album, “I’m the Problem,” set to be released on May 16, is already generating considerable anticipation in the country music scene. Despite the ongoing debate regarding his SNL exit, one fact remains clear—Wallen is firmly established among country music’s leading figures.