Justin Bieber has apologized for complimenting disgraced country singer Morgan Wallen.
Earlier this week, the Justice singer took to Instagram to praise Wallen’s 2021 project Dangerous, simply writing: “I love this album.” Fans immediately expressed disappointment in Bieber’s post, as Wallen has faced ongoing criticism over his past use of the n-word.
“I’m so upset that Justin is support Morgan music,” one user wrote. “Everything was going well and he ruined it with that.”
Bieber responded to that comment, writing, “honestly I had no idea he was saying those racist things, I deleted it, I’m sorry.”
Bieber went on to delete the Instagram story, and elaborated that he was unaware of Wallen’s history in new Story.
“I had no idea that the guy’s music I posted was recently found saying racist comments,” Bieber wrote in an Instagram story. “As you know I don’t support or tolerate any sort of racism or discrimination. I had no idea. I sincerely apologize to anyone I offended.”
Bieber also acknowledged past instances in which he made racist jokes. He previously apologized after a video of one such instance emerged in 2014.
Wallen came under fire earlier this year after TMZ published a video in which he used the racial slur. The 28-year-old singer was reportedly returning to his Tennessee home following a night of partying, and was heard shouting, “Hey, take care of this “pussy ass motherf*cker. Take care of this pussy ass n***a.”
The country star was subsequently suspended by his label and dropped from radio stations across the U.S. He went on to apologize for his actions and asked his fans to stop defending him.
“I was wrong. It’s on me to take ownership for this. And I fully accept any penalties I’m facing ...” he said in an Instagram video. “Since that video was taken, I’ve been sober for nine days. It’s not all that long of time, but it’s enough to know the man in that video is not the man that I’m trying to be.”
In more positive news from Bieber-verse, it was announced Wednesday that his and Ariana Grande’s joint track “Stuck With U” raised more than $3.5 million for the First Responders Children’s Foundation. The chart-topping record debuted in spring 2020 with the goal of helping the families of pandemic first responders. All proceeds from “Stuck With U” will go toward children’s scholarships, temporary housing for self-quarantining, as well as funeral costs for first responders and their relatives who died of coronavirus.
“The generosity, and support that Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Scooter Braun have shown the men and women on the front lines of this ongoing pandemic has been a surreal and humbling experience for us,” said Jillian Crane, President of First Responders Children’s Foundation. “As an organization, we have been able to help the everyday heroes who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, and their family’s immediate needs with the support that has only been made possible due to the collective effort of everyone involved, which we are thankful for.”
