Country star Morgan Wallen bolts off SNL stage to return to ‘God’s country’

Morgan Wallen’s eyebrow-raising exit at the end of “Saturday Night Live” may have been an “oops” moment by the country singer.

Sources told Fox News Digital that Wallen walking off the stage while cast members enjoyed congratulatory hugs was not meant as a slight and nothing was wrong.

“That was the way he entered and exited the studio all week during rehearsal and camera blocking, so he just walked that way after hugging Mikey,” an insider told the outlet, referring to the singer’s interaction with host Mikey Madison, who thanked him for his appearance on the late-night sketch comedy show.

Thank you, Mikey Madison and @MorganWallen! Goodnight! pic.twitter.com/FDlInhhHqb

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) March 30, 2025

The “Last Night” singer then posted on Instagram stories how he was glad to return home, writing, “Get me to God’s country.”

The comment and the abrupt departure from the “SNL” stage fueled speculation about any behind-the-scenes drama as the “Sand in My Boots” singer made his return to Manhattan’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the first time in five years he appeared on “SNL.”

According to Fox News:

Roughly seven months into the pandemic, Wallen was asked to be the musical guest on an October episode of “Saturday Night Live.” Days before he was scheduled to perform, footage went viral across social media showing the singer not wearing a COVID mask at an Alabama football game and celebrating with various women at a bar afterward. People who supported masks and social distancing during the pandemic were outraged.

He was immediately removed from the scheduled “SNL” appearance.

“I’m in New York City in a hotel room, I was getting ready for ‘SNL’ this Saturday, and I got a call from the show letting me know that I will no longer be able to play,” he said in a video message at the time. “That’s because of COVID protocols, which I understand.”

“I think I’ve lost myself a little bit. I’ve tried to find joy in the wrong places, and it’s left me with less joy. So I’mma go try to work on that. I’m gonna take a step back from the spotlight for a while and go work on myself,” he said after offering his apology.

The singer did return two months later and performed musically and in a sketch.

Fans praised his latest performance on the comedy show, but his strange exit left many X users wondering.

Morgan Wallen closes out his SNL performance last night by saying, “Praise the lord and go Vols!” pic.twitter.com/Vo8pzLg32f

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 30, 2025

He did what he came to do
“I’m out”

— MountainMamaBear (@61dodge) March 30, 2025

Love Morgan Wallen. Walked off the stage and didn’t want anything to do with them. I would’ve done the same thing.

— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) March 30, 2025