Jeff Bridges faces flak for mispronouncing Morgan Wallen’s name at CMA Awards: 'What a giant tool'

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Jeff Bridges had an awkward moment at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards when he mispronounced the name of the winner of the ceremony's top honor - Morgan Wallen.

Bridges was on stage to present Entertainer of the Year, which not only covers country artists' recordings but also their live performances and contribution to country music as a whole, according to the Daily Mail.

Jeff Bridges mispronounces Morgan Wallen’s name at CMA Awards

The 2024 category was stacked, with Luke Combs, rapper-turned-country singer Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson all competing for the biggest award of the evening.

However, Bridges left fans cringing after he messed up the last name of Morgan Wallen, 31, who was not present during the awards ceremony.

Bridges said as he took the stage, "Ahh, man! I should come here more often, man! Pretty wild! It's the biggest award of the night, so let's not screw around, OK?"

He then went through the nominees and announced Morgan Wallen as the winner but it wasn't quite "Wallen" that he said. Instead, the actor pronounced the singer's last name as something closer to "Waylon."

However, he had time to fix his mistake when he noted that Wallen wasn't on hand to accept his award, so he initially said he would accept it on his behalf.

However, Lainey Wilson accepted the award on behalf of Wallen and said, "Oh my gosh, congratulations, Morgan. Wow. I'm so excited for you!"

Morgan Wallen skips CMA Awards

Morgan Wallen finally got his moment after being snubbed in the past for awards. However, the singer didn't show up to the CMAs to accept his Entertainer of the Year award.

In 2021, Wallen was banned from the CMAs for a racial slur, according to Wide Open Country News. Since then, he's steadily rebuilt his reputation in the industry with high-selling tours, philanthropic goodwill, and a steady stream of new music.

Wallen was one of five heavy hitters nominated in this category along with Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson to claim the award.

Wallen released his 'One Thing at a Time' album in 2023, and since then, he's been busy on a tour bigger than any show he ever mounted before, per Taste of Country. 

Notably, Wallen's been nominated for Entertainer of the Year twice in past years, but this marked his first time taking the trophy home.

Internet slams Jeff Bridges for mispronouncing Morgan Wallen’s name

Many internet users slammed Jeff Bridges as he mispronounced Morgan Wallen's name while announcing the winner of 'Entertainer of the Year' at this year's CMA awards.

A user wrote on X, "Luke and Peyton have to rush the stage as that idiot Jeff Bridges didn't even know how to pronounce @MorganWallen. What a giant tool. On a different note, Congrats Morgan!!!! We're toasting you! #CMAwards," while one added, "Drunk Jeff Bridges didn't even need to be on the show."

A person also stated, "Yikes! Jeff Bridges was the only person in that arena that didn’t know who Morgan Wallen was," whereas one mentioned, "If Jeff Bridges can’t even pronounce Morgan Wallen correctly, he’s got no business presenting an award #CMAawards."

A user also wrote, "Jeff Bridges mispronounces his last name. More awkwardness from the hosts. What an underwhelming ending to a very meh show at best" while one commented, "How about Morgan Waylen.....???? Give me a break Jeff Bridges!!! Why CMA why???"

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