Morgan Wallen says he was ‘just ready to go home’ while addressing abrupt exit on ‘SNL’

CNN - May 12th, 2025

Country singer Morgan Wallen recently clarified his sudden departure from the 'Saturday Night Live' stage during the credits of the March 29 episode. As the musical guest, Wallen's abrupt exit after briefly hugging the host Mikey Madison led to online speculation and was even humorously referenced in the show's following 'Weekend Update' segment. Wallen explained on 'Sundae Conversation with Caleb Pressley' that he was simply eager to return home after a week of rehearsals. A source familiar with the situation noted that Wallen used the same path he had during rehearsals, dismissing any ill will or unusual circumstances.

The unexpected exit was highlighted by longtime 'SNL' cast member Kenan Thompson, who remarked on its visibility due to the already small group on stage. Wallen's Instagram post shortly after the show, which depicted a plane with the text 'Get me to God's country,' further fueled speculation about his experience on the show. This incident underscores the intense scrutiny public figures face, especially when deviations from expected behavior occur on live television. It also reflects the unpredictable nature of live performances and the rapid spread of conjecture online, emphasizing the importance of timely explanations in managing public narratives.

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RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and accurate account of Morgan Wallen's abrupt exit from 'SNL,' supported by quotes from Wallen and Kenan Thompson. It effectively captures the incident's essence and the ensuing speculation. However, the story could benefit from more diverse perspectives and enhanced transparency regarding its unnamed source. While it engages readers interested in entertainment news, its broader public interest and impact are limited. Overall, the story is well-written and informative, with room for improvement in source attribution and balance.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports Morgan Wallen's abrupt exit from 'SNL' and his subsequent explanation. Wallen's comments on the 'Sundae Conversation with Caleb Pressley' and his Instagram post are correctly cited. The article also quotes Kenan Thompson, adding credibility to the claim that Wallen's exit was unusual. However, while the story mentions a source familiar with the situation, it does not provide direct quotes or names, which slightly affects its verifiability. Overall, the story is factually accurate but could benefit from more direct sourcing for certain claims.

Balance

The article presents both Wallen's explanation and Kenan Thompson's perspective, offering a balanced view of the incident. However, it primarily focuses on Wallen's narrative without exploring additional viewpoints from other 'SNL' cast members or producers. This omission could lead to a perception of bias toward Wallen's account. Including more diverse perspectives would enhance the story's balance, providing a fuller picture of the situation.

Clarity

The article is clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the events and reactions. The language is straightforward and neutral, making it easy to understand. The story effectively summarizes the incident and the reactions without unnecessary complexity, contributing to its clarity.

Source quality

The article cites Morgan Wallen's own words and Kenan Thompson's interview, both credible sources regarding the incident. However, the story references an unnamed source familiar with the situation, which lacks transparency and weakens the source quality. More authoritative sources or direct quotes from 'SNL' officials would strengthen the credibility of the reporting.

Transparency

The article lacks full transparency, particularly regarding the unnamed source. While it provides Wallen's and Thompson's quotes, it doesn't disclose the methodology or context for the unnamed source's information. Greater transparency about how information was obtained and the potential biases of sources would improve the article's trustworthiness.