Justin Bieber has retracted his support for controversial country singer Morgan Wallen after facing backlash for promoting Wallen’s album on social media.
In a now-deleted Instagram Story post, Bieber shared a picture of Wallen’s album Dangerous: The Double Album and expressed his love for it. However, Bieber quickly faced criticism as Wallen had used a racial slur earlier this year.
Realizing the controversy surrounding Wallen, Bieber issued an apology on Instagram. He claimed to be unaware of Wallen’s racist comments and stated that he does not support or tolerate any form of racism or discrimination. Bieber also reflected on his own past mistakes, acknowledging that he had made hurtful racist jokes in the past, but had learned from those experiences.
Acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue and the importance of educating people about racism, Bieber expressed his willingness to learn and thanked his Black friends for their patience. He concluded by admitting that he still has a long way to go in his journey of personal growth.
In February, Wallen came under fire when a video emerged of him using a racial slur to describe one of his companions. The incident led to severe consequences for Wallen, including the suspension of his record label contract, removal from radio airplay, and disqualification from the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards. Wallen issued a public apology, expressing regret for his actions and vowing to do better. In July, he revealed that he had checked into a rehabilitation center to address his behavior.
Wallen admitted that he and his friends often engaged in inappropriate language, considering it playful banter. However, he acknowledged that such behavior was ignorant and wrong. Wallen also clarified that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Despite the controversy, Wallen saw a spike in album sales. To address the situation, he and his team decided to donate approximately $500,000 to organizations, including the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC).
Following his appearance on Good Morning America, Wallen made a return to the stage during a Luke Bryan concert. Bryan, along with Jason Aldean and Tyler Hubbard, joined Wallen for a shot of tequila before giving him the spotlight. This marked Wallen’s most significant return to performing since the scandal.
In light of the backlash against Wallen, Justin Bieber retracted his support for the country singer. As the controversy continues, both artists are facing public scrutiny while acknowledging the need for personal growth and education regarding racism.
