Morgan Wallen Wins Entertainer of the Year at 2024 CMA Awards — but Misses the Show

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

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

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

It remains unclear why Wallen — who wrapped 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 rep for Wallen did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The singer, who had previously been nominated for entertainer of the year in 2023 and 2022, ultimately beat out 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 and male vocalist of the year, at the 2021 CMAs after he was captured saying a racial slur on camera.

He returned to the awards show in 2023, where he joined HARDY and Post Malone for a performance tribute to Joe Diffie.

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

Check out all of PEOPLE’s full CMA Awards coverage here.

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

That same week, he wrapped his massive One Night at a Time World tour in Charlotte, N.C.

One Thing at a Time has been among the most successful releases of his career. It not only debuted atop the Billboard 200, it held the position for 19 consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running No. 1 country album of all time on the chart.

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

The 58th Annual CMA Awards broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on ABC. The show streams the following day on Hulu.