Morgan Wallen Returns To SNL Nearly Five Years After Stirring Up Controversy Ahead Of His First Appearance

Morgan Wallen is being criticized for leaving the “SNL” stage during the end credits after he performed as the musical guest on March 29. (Photo Credits: Saturday Night Live – SNL / X)

Morgan Wallen shared some of the songs from his upcoming album during his recent appearance on SNL. In addition to buzzing about his performances, viewers have taken to social media to discuss (and critique) his abrupt exit at the end of the show.

Saturday Night Live, or SNL, is celebrating its landmark 50th season. In mid-March, the show revealed that Oscar winner Mikey Madison would host the episode airing on March 29. Wallen was named as the musical guest.

RELATED: MORGAN WALLEN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM & TOUR

Wallen stirred up some controversy ahead of his first SNL appearance in 2020. He was supposed to appear on the show in October 2020, but was disinvited after social media posts showed him breaking COVID-19 protocols while partying in Alabama.

The “Love Somebody” singer apologized for his actions in a since-deleted Instagram video, saying:

“I’m not positive for COVID, but my actions this past weekend were pretty shortsighted and they have obviously affected my long term goals and my dreams. I respect the show’s decision, because I know that I put them in jeopardy and I take ownership for this.”

Wallen eventually made his SNL debut two months later, in December 2020. In addition to performing, Wallen participated in a skit that poked fun at the partying incident.

Wallen Generates Criticism And Confusion After Walking Offstage During SNL End Credits

Nearly five years after his first appearance, Wallen returned to SNL. The seven-time ACM Award nominee used the opportunity to showcase new songs from his next album.

For his first performance, Wallen sang the title track from his upcoming album, “I’m the Problem.” Later, he returned to sing another one of his new songs, “Just In Case.” During that song, the TV screen behind Wallen flashed part of the tracklist from I’m the Problem.

See both of Wallen’s SNL performances below.

Wallen’s SNL appearance generated some criticism online, but not because of his musical performances. Rather, viewers were upset after Wallen appeared to leave the stage during the end credits.

At the end of the show, Wallen stood by host Mikey Madison while she thanked him and everyone watching. She said, “Thank you so much to Morgan Wallen. I had a wonderful time. Thank you all.”

Wallen offered a quick salute to the crowd in response. As the credits rolled, Wallen said something to Madison, hugged her, and then walked off the front of the stage.

The rest of the cast and Madison remained onstage to celebrate and chat in typical SNL fashion. It’s unclear if Wallen came back to say goodbye to the cast after the cameras stopped rolling.

Wallen’s seemingly abrupt exit from SNL puzzled and even angered some viewers. See the posts below to get an idea of how people reacted to the situation.

Later in the evening, Wallen posted an Instagram Story showing a plane at the airport. His caption read, “Get me to God’s country.”

Morgan Wallen shared this Instagram Story after leaving SNL on March 29. (Photo Credit: Morgan Wallen / Instagram)

As of press time, Wallen nor NBC has released a statement about his SNL appearance.