Morgan Wallen, the renowned country music star, made headlines recently during his appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) when he unexpectedly exited the stage mid-show. This incident occurred during the “goodnights” segment late Saturday night, transitioning into early Sunday morning. Wallen's abrupt departure sparked a flurry of speculation online, particularly after he shared an Instagram story featuring a private jet alongside the caption, “Get me to God’s country.” Notably, Wallen is originally from Tennessee, often referred to as "God's country" in his music.
While Wallen has not made any official comments regarding his sudden exit, a source disclosed to The Hollywood Reporter that he had previously performed a similar exit during the dress rehearsal, which is recorded ahead of the live show. In the dress rehearsal footage, Wallen was seen starting to partake in the finale with other cast members but quickly vanished after a cutaway. The host, Mikey Madison, and others continued with their goodbyes, mirroring the live show's atmosphere.
The dress rehearsal for SNL includes a live studio audience, albeit different from the one present during the live broadcast. The rehearsal lasts for two hours, while the live show runs for 90 minutes. During the live segment, Wallen's exit appeared even more dramatic, thanks to a steady camera angle that vividly captured his path off the Studio 8H stage, effectively bringing his exit into viewers' living rooms.
Initially, those present did not think much of Wallen's sudden departure. A source revealed that Wallen’s team was “so nice” throughout the week leading up to the performance. However, the internet quickly amplified the moment, showcasing its tendency to create buzz around celebrity antics. Longtime SNL cast member Kenan Thompson noted that he “definitely” saw Wallen leave the stage. Thompson remarked, “You see somebody before you get a chance to say hi or say good job or anything like that, they just dipping.” He humorously speculated that Wallen might have needed to use the restroom.
Thompson further expressed uncertainty about Wallen's motivations, questioning whether the singer understood the expectations of the show or if he was feeling overwhelmed. It’s not uncommon for performers to skip the curtain call due to various reasons, especially if a sketch they participated in is cut. However, Wallen's departure was markedly more conspicuous, leading some amateur sleuths to theorize it might have been a public protest against the show's perceived liberal stance.
Morgan Wallen's relationship with SNL has been tumultuous. In October 2020, his scheduled debut as the musical guest was canceled after he was seen disregarding CDC social distancing guidelines. Despite this setback, Wallen returned to perform on the show two months later and even participated in a comedic skit addressing the controversy surrounding his earlier cancellation.
Theories have emerged regarding Wallen's absence from a pre-taped sketch, which is typically filmed on Fridays or sometimes Thursdays. While this is not unusual—as many musical guests have busy schedules—sources indicated that Wallen's decision could have been influenced by his focus on his musical performance. Notably, Joe Jonas appeared on that Saturday’s SNL, contributing to a musical number titled "Big Dumb Line," which humorously depicted the experience of waiting in long lines for trendy foods in New York City. Wallen was invited to participate but reportedly “wasn’t available.”
Wallen's SNL appearance culminated with him performing two songs from his upcoming album, I’m the Problem, before making a swift exit. As the show wrapped up, Mikey Madison expressed gratitude, stating, “I had a wonderful time, thank you all,” while the house band played and the closing credits rolled. Wallen shared a brief moment with Madison, giving her a hug and whispering something in her ear, leaving fans and viewers intrigued by the entire episode.
