Country singer Morgan Wallen was the big winner at Sunday night’s Billboard Music Awards, two years after being suspended by his record label for using a racial slur.
The musician won 11 awards, including top male artist and album and single of the year. In 2021, Wallen was suspended by his record label after being filmed using the N-word following a night out with friends.
The star apologised and, reunited with his record label, topped the US charts for 16 weeks this year with the double album One Thing At A Time.
Despite that success, he was frozen out of the Grammy Award nominations this month, an indication that the wider record industry has not forgiven him.
By contrast, the Billboard Awards are based purely on sales figures, meaning Wallen went into the ceremony with a good chance of dominating the main categories.
His tally of 11 awards also included top country artist, top streaming songs artist and top country touring artist. “Last awards show I went to we came home empty-handed and this one I don’t have enough hands for them all,” Wallen said.
Taylor Swift was the night’s other main winner, picking up 10 prizes, including the coveted trophies for top artist and and top-selling song for the hit single Anti-Hero. “Well this is unreal,” said the star in a pre-recorded acceptance speech.
“Billboard bases everything off of what you are listening to and what you’re pᴀssionate about… I feel like the luckiest girl to have you in my corner and caring about the music I make.”
