Shock reason top country star SNUBBED ACMs despite seven nominations

The country music world gathered in Texas to celebrate at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, but one huge star was missing.

This 31-year-old performer is up for seven awards at tonight’s ACMs, held at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, hosted by Reba McEntire.

While the star hasn’t commented on his absence at the show, he did post an Instagram story snap of him golfing with NFL legend Tom Brady on Thursday afternoon, adding, ‘Had a little mustard on it.’

Who is this country superstar? It’s none other than Morgan Wallen, who will be vying for Entertainer of the Year later in the evening after going viral on SNL weeks earlier.

He lost out on the Single of the Year award for his Post Malone collaboration I Had Some Help to You Look Like You Love Me by Ella Langley and Riley Green.

Wallen also lost Song of the Year for that same track to Dirt Cheap by Cody Johnson, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year to Lainey Wilson.

The country music world gathered in Texas to celebrate at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, but one huge star was missing

This 31-year-old performer is up for seven awards at tonight’s ACMs, held at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, hosted by Reba McEntire .

While the star hasn’t commented on his absence at the show, he did post an Instagram story snap of him golfing with NFL legend Tom Brady on Thursday afternoon, adding, ‘Had a little mustard on it.’

He also lost Male Artist of the Year to Chris Stapleton, while he’s still vying for Music Event of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Wallen made headlines not for his performance on Saturday Night Live in late March, but for his abrupt exit during the show’s credits.

He later posted a picture of a private jet with the caption, ‘Get me to God’s country,’ which caused much controversy.

Several days later, he responded to the controversy and launched a line of merch with the catchphrase plastered on T-shirts and hats that are priced at $45.

The You Proof singer shared a photo of the designs of his new merch, which is available to preorder on his website, on his Instagram Story on Tuesday.

Many social media users, including his fans, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions to his release.

Some wondered if it was an April Fools’ joke while others applauded his response to the harsh criticism.

Some other people called him a ‘grifter’ and insulted his design for being ‘corny’ or for looking ‘AI-generated.’

ACM Awards 2025 Winners: AT A GLANCE

Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson

Female Artist of the Year: Lainey Wilson

Male Artist of the Year: Chris Stapleton

Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn

Group of the Year: Old Dominion

New Female Artist of the Year: Ella Langley  

New Male Artist of the Year: Zach Top

New Duo or Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays

Album of the Year: Whirlwind — Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year: you look like you love me — Ella Langley, Riley Green

Song of the Year: Dirt Cheap — Cody Johnson

Music Event of the Year: you look like you love me — Ella Langley, Riley Green

Visual Media of the Year: you look like you love me — Ella Langley, Riley Green

Artist–Songwriter of the Year: Lainey Wilson

Songwriter of the Year: Jessie Jo Dillon

 

He also lost Male Artist of the Year to Chris Stapleton, while he’s still vying for Music Event of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Many social media users, including his fans, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions to his release.

He later posted a picture of a private jet with the caption, ‘Get me to God’s country,’ which caused much controversy.

He also caused controversy for throwing a chair in a jealous rage after his baby’s mother Katie Smith got back with her husband Luke Scornavacco.

Back in January, Wallen’s ex-fiancée Smith, 30, revealed that she and Scornavacco, 23, had ‘decided to separate’ after less than a year of marriage.

In an Instagram post at the time, she explained: ‘We both have decided to do what’s best for us, as well as Indigo, while he’s still as young as he is.’

She said that ‘there’s nothing but love on both sides’ and added that ‘neither party has done anything wrong.’

She simply wrote: ‘We just haven’t worked out in a while, and we both need to be the best versions of ourselves. Rooting each other on from a distance.’

Smith and Scornavacco started dating in 2023 and got engaged about a year later in March 2024.

Just four days after the proposal, they eloped in Tennessee.

ACM Awards 2025 WINNERS

Entertainer of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Jelly Roll

Chris Stapleton

Morgan Wallen

Lainey Wilson — WINNER

Lainey Wilson was one of the night’s big winners

 

Female Artist of the Year 

Kelsea Ballerini

Ella Langley

Megan Moroney

Kacey Musgraves

Lainey Wilson — WINNER 

 

Male Artist of the Year

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Jelly Roll

Chris Stapleton — WINNER

Morgan Wallen

Chris Stapleton beat out a tough crowd to win Male Artist of the Year

 

Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn — WINNER

Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay

Muscadine Bloodline

The War and Treaty

 

Group of the Year

Flatland Cavalry

Little Big Town

Old Dominion — WINNER

Rascal Flatts

The Red Clay Strays

 

New Female Artist of the Year

Kassi Ashton

Ashley Cooke

Dasha

Ella Langley — WINNER

Jessie Murph

 

New Male Artist of the Year

Gavin Adcock

Shaboozey

Zach Top — WINNER

Tucker Wetmore

Bailey Zimmerman

New Duo or Group of the Year

Restless Road

The Red Clay Strays — WINNER

Treaty Oak Revival

 

Album of the Year

Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) – Megan Moroney

Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll

Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top

F-1 Trillion – Post Malone

Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson — WINNER

 

Single of the Year

A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey

Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson

I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen

White Horse – Chris Stapleton

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green — WINNER

 

Song of the Year

4x4xU – Lainey Wilson

The Architect – Kacey Musgraves

Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson — WINNER

I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

 

Music Event of the Year

Cowboys Cry Too – Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan

I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen

I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood

we don’t fight anymore – Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green — WINNER

 

Visual Media of the Year

4x4xU – Lainey Wilson

Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson

I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood

Think I’m In Love With You – Chris Stapleton

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green — WINNER

Riley Green (L) and Ella Langley (center) won multiple awards for their single, you look like you love me

 

Artist–Songwriter of the Year

Luke Combs

ERNEST

HARDY

Morgan Wallen

Lainey Wilson — WINNER

 

Songwriter of the Year 

Jessi Alexander

Jessie Jo Dillon — WINNER

Ashley Gorley

Chase McGill

Josh Osborne