Amid the coronavirus pandemic, movie and television productions are taking the necessary measures to keep casts and crews safe. With SNL back in full swing, the long-running sketch show features a full cast and audience along with a host and performer.
This Saturday, country music star Morgan Wallen was scheduled to perform, however, after a video surfaced online of Wallen partying without a mask, Saturday Night Live is is scrapping the star for this week.
After the University of Alabama's victory over Texas A&M this past weekend, a TikTok of Wallen showed the musician partying without and mask or social distancing with a large group of people in an indoor space. With the video surfacing only days before his SNL performance, the show made the decision to drop the star from the lineup in order to ensure the safety of their cast and crew.
Morgan Wallen apologizes to fans after SNL canceled his performance due to breaking COVID-19 safety protocols this… https://t.co/Spp9PYhO6o— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1602113571
In a statement posted on social media, Wallen apologized for his actions, saying:
"I respect the show's decision because I know I put them in jeopardy, and I take ownership for this. I'd like to apologize to 'SNL,' to my fans, to my team for bringing me these opportunities, and I let them down."
Wallen also added that SNL EP Lorne Michaels provided words of encouragement and noted that Wallen will be able to perform on the show in the future. Until then, Wallen goes on to tell fans that he will be stepping away from the spotlight to work on himself:
"I think I lost myself a little bit. I tried to find joy in the wrong places and, I don't know, it's left me with less joy, so I'm going to try to work on that. I'm going to take a step back from the spotlight for a little while and go work on myself. I wish I could have made country music and my fans proud this Saturday, but I respect the decision once again."
In the coronavirus era, protocols continue to reign supreme for the entertainment industry.
