Country singer Morgan Wallen returned to the awards show stage at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday for the first time since his racial slur scandal, but some viewers were outraged by efforts to ‘uncancel’ him. “.

It’s been over a year since the 29-year-old Tennessee-born singer was filmed using the N-word in February 2021. Amid backlash to the video, Wallen’s music has been temporarily removed from radio stations. radio station and his recording contract. with Big Loud Label was suspended.

Wallen did not address the controversy as he performed onstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, where he performed “Don’t Think Jesus” and “Wasted on You” and later received the award for best country male artist.

Host Sean “Diddy” Combs said in an interview with Billboard days before the ceremony that “one of the things that I do directly is not to cancel the cancellation”.

“The vibe of the show is one of love and forgiveness. As a musical family, none of us are saints, none of us are without what happens to them in life,” said he declared.

“Travis (Scott) went through a tragedy; Morgan [used the N-word] while talking to her boy,” he continued. “People make mistakes. Now we move forward with love and respect for all who have been hurt or affected. It’s time to forgive. So that Morgan and Travis can come back and hit the stage again with the mindset of getting a second chance at life.”

Some viewers balked at Wallen’s performance and Diddy’s stance to “uncancel” him.

“Sorry we don’t support racists next…” one social media user wrote on Twitter.

“Morgan Wallen is a white guy caught on camera swinging the n word, and yet Diddy thinks it’s worth ‘revoking’ him? This isn’t about nullifying culture. This is about the makes Morgan Wallen despicable,” another person said. tweeted.

Some Twitter users noted that giving Wallen a platform seemed particularly tone-deaf as the ceremony honored Tamika Mallory, a black social justice advocate. The show also referenced Saturday’s shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, which left 10 people dead – an act that police say was a hate crime and where the majority of the victims were black.

“Diddy ‘cancelling’ morgan wallen and having him perform on the show while giving tamika mallory an award for her dedication to activism makes no sense,” one Twitter user said. wrotenoting that Mallory received the REVOLT Black Excellence Award.

“The Billboard Music Awards gave a whole talk about the mass shooting in Buffalo for Morgan Wallen to perform two songs 15 minutes later, lmfao what a joke,” one viewer said. tweeted.

“Morgan Wallen just accepted the Billboard Award for Top Male Country Artist like no one even cares that he’s throwing out the N-word like it’s no big deal,” another one added.

“You let Mr. Racist win?” ” a twitter user interrogates.

Following the scandal, Wallen posted a video apology last year on his Instagram account, saying he used the word after a 72-hour bender.

“I was wrong. This is mine to own and I fully accept any sanctions I face,” he said.

He revealed that he had met with anonymous black leaders and members of the black community following the controversy noting: “I will confess to you that I was quite nervous to accept these invitations from the very people that I have wounded.”

“I came away from those discussions with a deep appreciation for them and a clearer understanding of the weight of my words. I wish the circumstances were different for me to learn these things, but I’m also glad it started. the process for me to do it.

Despite the scandal, Wallen’s music proved successful, earning him Billboard Music Award nominations for Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Country Artist, as well as Top Male Country Artist. The interpreter of “7 Summers” is currently in full tour which should end in September.