Morgan Wallen’s time on The Voice is basically the "prequel" to his current status as country music’s most successful—and most controversial—anti-hero, and those old clips are trending right now because teens are obsessed with his "indie-pop" glow-up and the irony of the judges who let him go.
- The Origin: Morgan competed on Season 6 of The Voice in 2014, originally singing pop/indie songs before being eliminated in the playoffs.
- The Trend: TikTok is currently flooded with clips of a 20-year-old, mullet-less Morgan singing "Hey Brother" and "Collide," as fans contrast his humble beginnings with his "Still The Problem" era.
- The Controversy: Between the 2021 racial slur incident and his 2024 Nashville chair-throwing arrest, Wallen has leaned into his "problem" persona with his 2025 album I'm the Problem.
- Parental Pulse: If your teen is a fan, they aren't just listening to the music; they’re engaging with a "rebel" brand that tests the boundaries of accountability.
Ask our chatbot about talking to teens regarding celebrity controversies
Before he was selling out stadiums and throwing chairs off roofs, Morgan Wallen was a 20-year-old landscaper from Tennessee with a bowl cut and a dream of being the next big thing in... pop music? Yeah, you read that right.
In 2014, Morgan auditioned for Season 6 of The Voice with a cover of "Collide" by Howie Day. He didn't have the signature rasp or the "whiskey glasses" vibe yet. Usher and Shakira both turned their chairs, and he initially joined Team Usher. He was eventually "stolen" by Adam Levine but was booted during the Playoffs after singing "Stay" by Florida Georgia Line—the very band that would later help launch his country career.
The irony isn't lost on today's teens. They love the fact that The Voice "failed" to see his potential, which fits perfectly into the "underdog who made it" narrative that fuels his massive fanbase.
If you’ve seen a video of a guy who looks like he belongs in a 2010s boy band but sounds vaguely like the guy your teen listens to on Spotify, that’s the "Voice-era Morgan" trend.
On TikTok and Instagram Reels, these clips are used to show his "evolution." But there’s a deeper layer: fans use these old, wholesome clips to defend him during his modern-day scandals. It’s a way of saying, "See? He’s just a small-town kid at heart," even when his current headlines involve felony reckless endangerment charges.
Recently, his 2021 deep cut "Silverado For Sale" has also seen a massive resurgence on TikTok, with users pairing the song with videos of their own "glow-ups" or life changes, further cementing Morgan as the soundtrack to the "modern country" lifestyle.
Morgan isn't just ignoring his scandals; he’s marketing them. His 2025 album, I'm the Problem, and his 2026 "Still The Problem" stadium tour are direct nods to his reputation.
- The Chair Incident (2024): In April 2024, Morgan was arrested for throwing a chair off the roof of Eric Church’s Nashville bar, nearly hitting two police officers. He eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in late 2024 and served a short stint in a DUI education center. For many fans, this was just "Morgan being Morgan."
- The Racial Slur (2021): This remains the biggest point of contention. While he apologized and met with Black leaders, the fact that his popularity actually increased afterward is a tough conversation to have with kids about how the world handles racism and fame.
- The New Sound: His latest music, like "Love Somebody" and "What I Want" (featuring Tate McRae), leans heavily into a pop-country hybrid that is tailor-made for TikTok virality.
Learn more about the influence of TikTok on teen music tastes
We don't need to ban the music—let's be real, that never works—but we can use Morgan Wallen as a case study in "separating the art from the artist."
- Ask about the "Bad Boy" appeal: Why do we find it entertaining when celebrities break the rules? Does it change how we feel about them if their actions actually hurt people (like nearly hitting cops with a chair)?
- Discuss the "Glow-up": The transition from The Voice to now is a great way to talk about branding. Morgan changed his hair, his clothes, and his genre to find success. Is that "being authentic," or is it just good business?
- Accountability vs. Forgiveness: Talk about the difference between someone making a mistake and someone making a "brand" out of being a problem.
If you’re looking to diversify your teen’s country intake with artists who have a bit less "baggage" but the same great sound, check these out:
- The "nice guy" of country. Incredible vocals, very few chairs thrown off roofs.
- If your kid likes Morgan’s rasp, Stapleton is the gold standard. Pure talent, zero "brain rot" lyrics.
- She’s dominating the charts right now and is a fantastic example of hard work paying off without the "bad boy" gimmick.
- For the teen who likes the "raw and emotional" side of Morgan Wallen. His lyrics are arguably much deeper and more poetic.
Q: Was Morgan Wallen on The Voice?
Yes, Morgan Wallen was a contestant on Season 6 of The Voice in 2014. He was originally on Usher's team and then Adam Levine's team before being eliminated in the Top 20 playoffs.
Q: Why is Morgan Wallen so controversial?
His controversies include a 2021 video of him using a racial slur, multiple arrests for public intoxication, and a 2024 incident where he threw a chair off a six-story roof in Nashville. Despite this, he remains one of the most commercially successful artists in the world, leading to debates about "cancel culture" and accountability.
Q: Is Morgan Wallen's music appropriate for 12-year-olds?
Most of his songs are "clean" in terms of language, but they frequently glamorize heavy drinking, "revenge" themes, and toxic relationship dynamics. If your 12-year-old is listening, it's worth a quick chat about the "party lifestyle" depicted in hits like "Whiskey Glasses" or "Last Night."
Q: Why is he called "The Problem" now?
He has leaned into the nickname following his various legal troubles, naming his 2025 album I'm the Problem and his 2026 tour the "Still The Problem" tour. It’s a marketing strategy that embraces his "outlaw" image.
Morgan Wallen is the ultimate "it's complicated" artist of 2026. His journey from The Voice reject to global superstar is an incredible story of persistence, but it’s also a messy tale of fame shielding a person from the consequences of their actions. Enjoy the music, but keep the conversation about the man behind it wide open.
Check out our guide on navigating modern country music lyrics