“Did Morgan Wallen Just Throw Shade at the CMAs?” Fans Are Talking 😳
The country superstar, who notably skipped the 2024 and 2025 CMAs — including the year he took home Entertainer of the Year — just posted a cryptic story on Instagram celebrating I’m the Problem topping Apple Music’s charts. No words about the awards, just pure victory vibes. Fans immediately began speculating: Was this a subtle jab at the CMAs, a flex about his dominance, or both? The timing couldn’t be more perfect — and the social media storm is only just beginning. Watch the reactions pour in 👇

Morgan Wallen Appears to Shade the CMA Awards on Instagram as I’m the Problem Is Named Top Apple Music Album

The country star skipped the CMAs in 2025 and 2024, the year he won Entertainer of the Year

Morgan Wallen in June 2025 in Nashville.Credit : Jason Kempin/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Morgan Wallen appeared to shade the CMA Awards in an Instagram Stories post
The country star shared the post on Tuesday, Dec. 2 after his album I’m the Problem became the most listened-to album on Apple Music
Wallen skipped the CMAs in 2025 and 2024, the year he won Entertainer of the Year

Morgan Wallen appeared to throw subtle shade at the CMA Awards.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2 Apple Music shared an Instagram post celebrating I’m the Problem as the most listened-to album on the platform.

“I’m The Problem by @morganwallen is the year’s most-listened-to project on Apple Music. What’s your top album? #AppleMusicReplay,” the post read.

Wallen, 32, reshared the post to his Instagram Stories on the same day with a caption that appeared to be aimed toward the CMA Awards.

“I like to let my fans do the talking,” he wrote on the post.

Wallen’s post comes on the heels of him losing the Entertainer of the Year honor at the awards ceremony in November, which he didn’t attend.

At the time, his good friend and frequent collaborator Ernest was asked by Taste of Country for his Entertainer of the Year pick ahead of the show, and he chose Lainey Wilson, who did indeed take home the prize.

But when asked what Wallen might think of Ernest choosing Wilson, 33, over him, he had a blunt response.

“He don’t give a f—,” Ernest said. “Since when has Morgan given a s—? Who’s making more money doing this than Morgan Wallen? He don’t give a f— about this award. I wouldn’t either if I was Morgan Wallen.”

During an appearance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last month where he performed a surprise duet cover with Ella Langley, he also appeared to take a jab at the CMA Awards.

“Yeah, it takes a lot more than an awards show to get me out to Broadway these days, I’ll tell you that,” said Wallen, per fan-captured footage on TikTok.

In November 2024, Wallen also wasn’t present at the CMA Awards when he took home Entertainer of the Year.

Jeff Bridges accepted the win on his behalf at the time.

“Morgan couldn’t make it tonight, so I’m going to accept this award on his behalf,” the actor and musician, now 75, told the crowd. “Alright, let’s hear it for Morgan!”

At the time, It was unclear why Wallen 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 rep for Wallen did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment at the time.