SNL Strikes Back: Morgan Wallen Roasted Twice After Abrupt Exit Sparks Controversy

Morgan Wallen, the chart-topping country music star, found himself at the center of a firestorm after his controversial appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on March 29, 2025. The singer’s abrupt departure from the stage during the show’s traditional “goodnights” segment broke decades-long tradition, leaving fans, cast members, and viewers stunned. A week later, on April 5, SNL fired back, mocking Wallen twice during the episode hosted by Jack Black, with musical guests Elton John and Brandi Carlile. The roast, delivered through the Cold Open and Weekend Update, highlighted Wallen’s dramatic exit and his subsequent “God’s country” Instagram Stories post, reigniting debates about his behavior and professionalism.

A Break from Tradition: Wallen’s Abrupt Exit

During the March 29 episode of SNL, hosted by The Brutalist actress Mikey Madison, Wallen served as the musical guest, performing two songs from his upcoming album, I’m the Problem. The episode appeared to go smoothly—until the closing moments. As is customary, the host, cast, and musical guest gather on stage to say their goodbyes during the “goodnights” segment, waving to the audience as the credits roll. However, Wallen had other plans.

As Madison thanked the team that made the show possible, Wallen was seen whispering something in her ear before stepping off the stage and walking directly past the camera, exiting before the credits even began. The move was unprecedented, with veteran SNL watchers noting it was the first time they could recall a guest making such an “in-your-face” departure. “In decades of watching SNL, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that. For so many of us, that is sacred ground,” one fan remarked on X, as reported by Variety.

Shortly after leaving the studio, Wallen posted a photo of a private jet on his Instagram Stories with the caption “Get me to God’s country” written in white text. The post, which some interpreted as a jab at New York City and the SNL experience, added fuel to the fire. Social media erupted with reactions, ranging from outrage to support. “Morgan Wallen barely acknowledges Mikey Madison and then immediately storms off stage like a baby during the SNL goodbyes,” one user wrote on X. Another countered, “All this hate to Morgan Wallen because he walked off stage before the end credits as if he hasn’t been getting bashed literally all week by all you insane liberals. He doesn’t owe you anything.”

Backstage Drama: Wallen Labeled “Unprofessional”

The controversy didn’t stop at Wallen’s exit. Reports of behind-the-scenes tension painted a picture of a guest who was less than cooperative. According to an SNL staffer who spoke to the Daily Mail, Wallen was “completely disrespectful” during rehearsals. “He was unprofessional the entire time and came in with a chip on his shoulder,” the staffer revealed. Wallen reportedly refused to participate in a pre-taped sketch titled “Big Dumb Line,” which was about waiting in long lines in New York City. The role was quickly filled by singer Joe Jonas, but for some cast members, Wallen’s behavior was the final straw.

Variety also reported that Wallen’s reluctance extended to promotional segments. Clips from earlier in the week showed a visibly disinterested Wallen alongside Madison and cast member Chloe Fineman during the standard “Hi, I’m Mikey Madison, and I’m hosting SNL this week with Morgan Wallen” introductions. “If you go back and watch the clips, you’ll see he didn’t want to shoot those either, and probably only did SNL because his manager and agent made him,” a social media user speculated.

Wallen’s actions were particularly scrutinized given his history with the show. In 2020, he was famously dropped as a musical guest after breaking COVID-19 protocols by partying maskless in Alabama, an incident that led to his initial cancellation and eventual rebooking later that year. His March 2025 appearance marked his second stint on the SNL stage, but his behavior suggested lingering resentment. For some cast members, his decision to “rush to the airport” and declare New York as not being “God’s country” felt like a personal slight, especially given SNL’s reputation as a liberal-leaning institution.

SNL Fires Back: Two Jabs at Wallen

SNL wasted no time in addressing Wallen’s behavior during its April 5 episode. The first jab came during the Cold Open, where James Austin Johnson, portraying President Donald Trump, referenced Wallen’s “God’s country” comment while discussing Trump’s recent tariffs. “I even put tariffs on an island uninhabited by humans. It’s called Heard and McDonald Island,” Johnson said as Trump. “McDonald Island. I would love to visit there. Can you imagine that? Big Mac and a hula skirt. Get me to God’s country, right? Remember that?” The line was a direct nod to Wallen’s Instagram Stories post, drawing laughter from the audience.

The second roast came during the Weekend Update segment, where co-anchor Colin Jost took aim at Wallen while discussing the stock market’s recent downturn. “This was the worst week for the stock market since the summer of 2020. But you have to remember—back then, the president was also Trump,” Jost said. He continued, “Just in the past two days, investors have lost over $6 trillion. Money is leaving the stock market faster than Morgan Wallen at goodnights.” The quip landed with a mix of laughter and cheers, cementing SNL’s sharp response to Wallen’s exit.

Wallen’s Response and the Bigger Picture

A source close to Wallen later told Variety that the singer enjoyed his time on SNL and never intended to offend with his exit or social media post. The insider noted that Wallen entered and exited the New York City studio the same way all week during rehearsals and camera blocking, suggesting his departure was not meant to be a statement. The source also emphasized that Wallen “didn’t put much thought into how his actions would look to others,” reiterating that there was “no drama” from his perspective. Additionally, the “God’s country” post was described as typical for Wallen, who rarely shares posts about accomplishments or accolades.

Despite the explanation, Wallen’s actions were hard to ignore in light of his recent legal troubles. In December 2024, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment after throwing a chair off a bar’s rooftop, resulting in a seven-day incarceration at a DUI education center and two years of probation. For many, his SNL behavior seemed to reflect a pattern of disregard, especially given his 2020 SNL controversy.

Longtime SNL cast member Kenan Thompson weighed in on the incident in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying, “I don’t know what goes through people’s minds when they decide to do stuff like that. I don’t know if he understood the assignment or not, or if he was really feeling a certain kind of way.” Thompson’s comments echoed the sentiment of many who felt Wallen failed to grasp the significance of SNL’s traditions.

Turning Controversy into Merch

In a move that some saw as tone-deaf, Wallen has since capitalized on the controversy by selling merchandise featuring the “Get me to God’s country” phrase. The decision drew mixed reactions, with some fans praising his boldness and others criticizing the flaunting of a private jet as out of touch for a country star. “This & the tone-deaf private jet flaunt couldn’t be more lame & undercutting coming from a country star,” one user wrote on X, while another countered, “Morgan Wallen shows the SNL cast exactly how he feels. Love it!”

What’s Next for Wallen and SNL?

The SNL episode on April 5, hosted by Jack Black with musical guests Elton John and Brandi Carlile, marked a triumphant return to form for the show, which has long thrived on turning real-world controversies into comedic gold. The Wallen jabs were a highlight, but the episode also featured standout moments like Black’s lively opening song with a marching band. SNL is set to return on April 12 with Jon Hamm as host and Lizzo as the musical guest, promising more star-studded evenings.

For Morgan Wallen, the SNL saga adds another chapter to his polarizing career. While his music continues to dominate charts—his upcoming album I’m the Problem is highly anticipated—his off-stage behavior remains a lightning rod for criticism. Whether he’ll address the SNL controversy directly remains to be seen, but for now, SNL has had the last laugh, proving once again that no one is safe from its sharp comedic lens.