Morgan Wallen Opens Up About Struggles with Fame and Public Life

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country music star Morgan Wallen revealed he is still grappling with the complexities of fame during a candid appearance on a recent episode of Theo Von‘s podcast. The 31-year-old artist shared that the public pressures associated with his celebrity status often leave him feeling exposed and anxious.

“There’s parts of that that I don’t like,” Wallen said, expressing his discomfort with the heightened scrutiny of public life. He added, “It’s not ideal to go everywhere, and even if you don’t get bothered, you were on edge the whole time because you thought you might [be bothered].” Through his reflections, Wallen highlighted the negative aspects of fame while lamenting the loss of certain everyday freedoms.

To cope with the pressures of his celebrity, Wallen prefers spending his free time hunting with friends, seeking refuge from the intense public spotlight. “I can go be with my buddies. I’m in the middle of nowhere. I can be at ease,” he explained. This escape allows him to step back from the stresses associated with his fame.

In a light-hearted manner, Wallen acknowledged that he no longer frequents bars, a change prompted by his past controversies, including a recent legal issue where he received probation after pleading guilty to reckless endangerment. “I mean, if you’re using a bar as a specific example, that’s definitely the best thing for me,” he chuckled, referencing his history in the nightlife scene. “I ain’t been in a bar since the last time I was in a bar that everybody knows about,” he quipped, referring to his notable incident in Nashville.

Wallen’s rise to fame has been accompanied by several challenges, including previous arrests and being caught using a racial slur, which has contributed to his current cautious approach to public appearances. His latest controversies extend to his abrupt departure from the Saturday Night Live stage during the live show’s ending credits, further adding to his complicated relationship with fame.

On March 29, Wallen served as the musical guest on SNL, hosted by Mikey Madison. As the show wrapped up, Wallen unexpectedly left the stage before the customary post-show celebrations with cast members. He then shared a photo of himself boarding his private plane with the caption, “Take me to God’s country,” emphasizing his desire to escape the pressures of fame.

While Wallen has not addressed the specific incident from SNL, he has taken to social media to express his love for the country genre. Sources close to the show indicated that relationships between Wallen and SNL are stable, with showrunners keen on having him return in the future.

As Wallen continues to navigate his career amid scrutiny and challenges, he remains focused on finding solace in the simple joys of life, such as hunting with friends, even as he grapples with his fame’s complexities.