Morgan Wallen skipped the 2025 CMA Awards for the second consecutive year despite being nominated for Entertainer of the Year, a prize he won in 2024 but lost this year to Lainey Wilson. His close friend and collaborator Ernest candidly stated that Wallen “don’t give a f—” about the award, emphasizing Wallen’s focus on his successful career rather than industry accolades. “Since when has Morgan given a s—?,” Ernest said before the awards show, when asked what Wallen would think of him choosing Wilson as his pick for CMA Entertainer of the Year. “Who’s making more money doing this than Morgan Wallen?,” Ernest continued, while adding, “He don’t give a f— about this award. I wouldn’t either if I was Morgan Wallen.” Wallen, who also received CMA nominations for Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year – which ultimately went to Wilson and Cody Johnson – has a history of avoiding awards shows, and was previously ruled ineligible for CMAs in 2021 after using a racial slur. (People)