In 2020, Morgan Wallen was caught on video using a racial slur. As a result, he issued an apology, saying that he wants to change and that he had decided to stop drinking.

An apology doesn’t fix everything. There were big consequences for his actions. For one thing, he was banned from attending the Billboard Music Awards. However, his fans rallied around him and his music.

According to Dick Clark Productions, the company that produces the awards show, Wallen would not be allowed to perform at the Billboard Music Awards. He also wouldn’t be allowed to present any awards. In addition, he wouldn’t be allowed to accept any awards at the show.

It could be easy to interpret that last part to mean that the singer couldn’t win any awards, but it turns out that wasn’t the case. Wallen ended up winning three awards. Before the show started, the Billboard Music Awards announced the early winners in a press release. Wallen took home the awards for top country artist, top country male artist, and top country album for “Dangerous: The Double Album.”

In the press release, there was an asterisk next to Wallen’s name explaining, “Finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard Charts, and are not chosen by a voting committee or membership organization. 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.”

Watch the video below to learn more about some major winners at the Billboard Music Awards.

Does it surprise you that Morgan Wallen won three Billboard Music Awards?