The country music world gathered in Texas to celebrate at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, but one huge star was missing.

This 31-year-old performer is up for seven awards at tonight’s ACMs, held at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, hosted by Reba McEntire.

Although the star has not addressed his absence from the show, he did share an Instagram story on Thursday afternoon, featuring a snapshot of him golfing alongside NFL legend Tom Brady, with the caption, ‘Had a little mustard on it.’

Who is this country superstar? It’s Morgan Wallen, set to compete for Entertainer of the Year later in the evening after his viral appearance on SNL weeks earlier.

He missed out on the Single of the Year award for his collaboration with Post Malone, I Had Some Help, which was won by Ella Langley and Riley Green for You Look Like You Love Me.

Wallen also lost Song of the Year for that same track to Dirt Cheap by Cody Johnson, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year to Lainey Wilson. 

The country music world gathered in Texas to celebrate at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, but one huge star was missing

This 31-year-old performer is up for seven awards at tonight’s ACMs, held at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, hosted by Reba McEntire .

While the star hasn’t commented on his absence at the show, he did post an Instagram story snap of him golfing with NFL legend Tom Brady on Thursday afternoon, adding, ‘Had a little mustard on it.’

He also lost Male Artist of the Year to Chris Stapleton, while he’s still vying for Music Event of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Wallen made headlines not for his performance on Saturday Night Live in late March, but for his abrupt exit during the show’s credits.

He later posted a picture of a private jet with the caption, ‘Get me to God’s country,’ which caused much controversy.

Several days later, he responded to the controversy and launched a line of merch with the catchphrase plastered on T-shirts and hats that are priced at $45.

The You Proof singer shared a photo of the designs of his new merch, which is available to preorder on his website, on his Instagram Story on Tuesday.

Many social media users, including his fans, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions to his release.

Some wondered if it was an April Fools’ joke while others applauded his response to the harsh criticism.

Some other people called him a ‘grifter’ and insulted his design for being ‘corny’ or for looking ‘AI-generated.’

He also lost Male Artist of the Year to Chris Stapleton, while he’s still vying for Music Event of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Many social media users, including his fans, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions to his release.

He later posted a picture of a private jet with the caption, ‘Get me to God’s country,’ which caused much controversy.

He also caused controversy for throwing a chair in a jealous rage after his baby’s mother Katie Smith got back with her husband Luke Scornavacco.

Back in January, Wallen’s ex-fiancée Smith, 30, revealed that she and Scornavacco, 23, had ‘decided to separate’ after less than a year of marriage.

In an Instagram post at the time, she explained: ‘We both have decided to do what’s best for us, as well as Indigo, while he’s still as young as he is.’

She said that ‘there’s nothing but love on both sides’ and added that ‘neither party has done anything wrong.’

She simply wrote: ‘We just haven’t worked out in a while, and we both need to be the best versions of ourselves. Rooting each other on from a distance.’

Smith and Scornavacco started dating in 2023 and got engaged about a year later in March 2024.

Just four days after the proposal, they eloped in Tennessee.