Morgan Wallen issues second, lengthy video apology: "Words Matter"

Morgan Wallen has shared another apology with the world, following footage of him using a racial slur published on February 2nd.

Taking to Instagram to upload a five minute video of him speaking directly to camera, Wallen acknowledged that this apology is well overdue, but said he wanted to wait to make sure he was proceeding correctly. He sought advice from elders in the black community, and made personal apologies to those he knows he has hurt by his actions.

"“I’m long overdue to make a statement regarding my last incident. I wanted to collect my thoughts, seek some real guidance and come to you with a complete thought before I did."

Wallen went on to admit that while he does take responsibility for his actions, the incident occurred during a multiple-day bender.

“You saw was me on hour 72 of a 72-hour bender. And that’s not something I’m proud of either. Obviously, the natural thing to do is to apologise further and just continue to apologise, because you got caught. And that’s not what I wanted to do,” he said, before advising he has since been sober for nine days.

“It’s not all that long of time, but it’s enough to know the man in that video is not the man that I’m trying to be.”

Before ending the video, Wallen went further and requested that the fans who have been defending him stop doing so. He said, "I have one favour to ask. I appreciate those who still see something in me and have defended me. But for today, please don’t."

"I was wrong. It’s on me to take ownership for this. And I fully accept any penalties I’m facing."

This apology follows Wallen's initial apology, which was released alongside the video published by TMZ. Morgan Wallen initially said in a statement, "I’m embarrassed and sorry. I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better."

Fans have rallied behind the artist, resulting in sales skyrocketing and Morgan Wallen's records charting on the Billboard charts in the wake of swift action being taken from his label, as well as country music industry bodies and media. Recently, Jason Isbell announced he would be donating the revenue he receives from a cover Wallen did of his song to the NAACP.

Of course, actions do speak louder than words so it remains to be seen if responsibility and accountability have truly been taken by him. Watch the statement here.