ABC News’ Good Morning America will host the first sit-down interview with Morgan Wallen after his racial slur incident.
The interview comes several months after Wallen disappeared from the public view. GMA co-host Michael Strahan will host the interview, discussing the incident and how it impacted Wallen’s life after it went viral. Wallen’s appearance on the show comes as the country singer works to rehab his image.
In an advance clip from the Thursday interview, Strahan asks the star: “There’s going to be a lot of people who watch this and say, “He’s only sitting down because he wants to clean up his image. It’s all a performance.’ So what do you say to that?”
Wallen responds: “I understand that. I’m not ever going to make everyone happy. I can only come to tell my truth, and that’s all I know how to do.” Wallen has insisted that the incident was taken out of context and has apologized profusely for using the slur. Despite the apologies, his music was quickly removed from the radio – much to the chagrin of his rabid fan base.
Billboards supporting Morgan Wallen began popping up around Nashville and Los Angeles around award shows in the cities. “His Fans’ Choice: Entertainer of the Year,” reads one of the billboards. “Support that boy from East Tennessee.” Those billboards were funded by Darleen Ingram and 824 other Morgan Wallen fans.
At the time, Wallen asked fans to stop defending him. “I fully accept any penalties I’m facing. The timing of my return is solely upon me and the work I put in,” Wallen told his fans. Wallen’s latest album, Dangerous: The Double Album, spent ten weeks at the top of the charts thanks to those fans. Despite the removal from most conglomerate-owned radio stations across America, Wallen’s playtime increased.
Big Loud Records also suspended Wallen’s recording contract indefinitely. “In the wake of recent events, Big Loud Records has made the decision to suspend Morgan Wallen’s contract,” the statement at the time read. His contract has since been reinstated. You can see the full interview with Morgan Wallen tomorrow on Good Morning America at 7 am.