Morgan Wallen will not be included in Billboard Music Awards broadcast due to recent controversies

The Billboard Music Awards largely determine finalists and winners based on chart positioning and metric collection, which explains why embattled country singer Morgan Wallen landed six nominations.

Nominees were revealed Thursday, and 2021 BBMAs producer dick clark productions was quick to clarify that Wallen will not actually have a presence through a statement published by Billboard:

"Unique among awards shows, Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard charts, and are not chosen by a voting committee or membership organization. BBMA finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music (including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, social engagement), tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data. 

"With our content reaching millions of viewers, dcp and MRC have the privilege and responsibility to effect change by creating a more inclusive dialogue in our productions and across the industry. Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting. As his recent conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting). 

"It is heartening and encouraging to hear that Morgan is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work. We plan to evaluate his progress and will consider his participation in future shows."

Wallen has been under fire since Feb. 2, when TMZ shared a video capturing the 27-year-old lobbing an abhorrent racial slur in his Nashville neighborhood. Wallen publicly addressed his behavior twice, first through a Feb. 10 video and most recently in an April 13 handwritten letter: