Morgan Wallen wins Entertainer of the Year at the 2024 CMA Awards But Misses Show

Morgan Wallen has taken home the most coveted award at the 2024 CMA Awards — figuratively speaking, that is.

Wallen, 31, won entertainer of the year at the CMAs on Wednesday, Nov. 20, but was not in attendance, prompting host Jeff Bridges to accept the win on behalf of the “Last Night” singer.

“Morgan couldn’t make it tonight, so I’ll accept this award on his behalf,” Bridges told the crowd. “Alright, let’s hear it for Morgan!”

It remains unclear why Wallen – who wrapped up his One Night at a Time tour in October – was absent from the night’s festivities. He was the most nominated artist heading into the show with nods for Entertainer, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Musical Event of the Year.

A representative for Wallen did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The singer, who was previously nominated for entertainer of the year in 2023 and 2022, eventually beat Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs for the win.

The star was deemed ineligible to compete for awards in solo categories, including entertainer of the year and male vocalist, at the 2021 CMAs after he was caught making a racial slur on camera.

He returned to the awards in 2023, joining HARDY and Post Malone for a performance tribute to Joe Diffie.

Wallen released his third studio album, One thing at a timein March 2023, and scored a No. 1 single with Post Malone earlier this year with “I Had Some Help.”

See all of PEOPLE’s full CMA Awards coverage here.

Most recently, the country singer released the single “Love Somebody” on October 18.

That same week, he wrapped up his massive One Night at a Time World Tour in Charlotte, NC

One thing at a time has been among the most successful releases of his career. It didn’t just debut at the top Billboard 200, it held the position for 19 consecutive weeks, which makes it the longest-running No. 1 country album of all times on the chart.

The record’s track “Last Night” reached the top spot on Billboard Hot 100—Wallen’s first song to do so—and went on to earn a nomination for Best Country Song at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

The 58th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20 from 8pm to 11pm on ABC. The show will be streamed the following day on Hulu.