By October of 2021, the controversy surrounding Morgan Wallen’s racist language had yet to fade in the public’s perception. That was clear when producers for the annual American Music Awards announced it had reached a decision regarding his participation in that year’s award show. As Deadline reported, even though Wallen had received two award nominations — for favorite male country artist, and favorite country album — he was banned from attending the ceremony. “As his conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting),” read a statement from production company MRC Live & Alternative, explaining that nominees are selected based on their performance on the Billboard charts. However, the statement also acknowledged that Wallen might be invited to future AMAs, provided he’d taken the appropriate steps. “We plan to evaluate his progress in doing meaningful work as an ally to the Black community and will consider his participation in future shows,” the statement added.
The following year, Diddy was announced as host and producer of the American Music Awards. Speaking with Page Six, the rapper/music mogul decreed that Wallen was now welcome to attend the show. “We’re un-canceling the canceled,” he said, adding, “I’m here to forgive, to unify, to celebrate, and to have everybody be free.”
In hindsight, given the recent spate of disturbing allegations against Diddy, being uncanceled by him no longer seems quite so beneficial.
