American Idol Contestant Draws Criticism For Covering Morgan Wallen Right After Addressing Racism In Country Music

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Mike Parker took the stage on American Idol last night as a Top 11 performer.

This round was dubbed “Judge’s Song Contest,” where each contestant was given the choice to pick a song from a number of choices the judges laid out.

Parker was given Morgan Wallen’s “Chasin’ You,” Diane Warren featuring Diane Warwick’s “Time Like This” and John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear.”

The 27-year-old from Warrenton, Virginia took Morgan Wallen, stating that he related more to the song:

“I can relate to this song, I do… just talking about a country boy doing country things, you know? Railroad tracks and jumping in rivers, I think I can really put my spin on “Chasin’ You.’”

Parker also took the time to address racism in country music, saying he wants to be the one to unite everybody in country music together.

He said:

“Luke, he addressed racism in country music, which I appreciate, he said it’s going to take time and I want to be that person that brings two communities together, multiple communities together, and it is going to take time, but I’m here to speed that process up.”

However, singing Morgan Wallen’s song “Chasin’ You,” had a lot of fans scratching their heads, considering Wallen’s racial slur incident from last February.

Parker admitted that Wallen is one of his musical inspirations in the genre, and also weighed in on the racial slur incident:

“I don’t believe Morgan is a racist. I don’t believe he has a racist bone in his body. Everyone has moments when they would make a second choice.”

Needless to say, people weren’t too thrilled with Parker’s decision to sing Wallen’s song:

Why is #americanidol promoting racist Morgan Wallen? That is disgusting @ABCNetwork @AmericanIdol

— Sulu (@starfleetproto) April 26, 2022

Did Mike Parker really just have a segment about “addressing racism in country music” right before he sang a Morgan Wallen song?? Dafuq#americanidol

— Jordan Zamora (@Zedamora) April 26, 2022

@AmericanIdol why would @lukebryan chose that racist @MorganWallen for Mike Parker to perform?? That’s F’d up!

— Dave Esparza (@daveesparza76) April 26, 2022

Mike Parker declaring Country Music as racist is a charged & disgusting political hit tonight on American Idol. I’m so upset. Dolly Parton? Dixie Chicks? Kenny Rogers? Racist? I don’t think so. Just stop and apologize. We love people of ALL colors. Jay gonna win. #AmericanIdol

— Josh Philly (@JoshPhilly2) April 26, 2022

@amercanidol so make this make sense to me😂 mike Parker wanna talk about being the person to stop racism in country music while he proceeds to pick a song by a white man who freely and without any consequences says the N word. 😒 @lukebryan the math ain’t mathing🤷🏾‍♀️

— Mekdes Maddox (@Allena_Layla) April 26, 2022

#Americanidol Was anyone else shocked, that after the blurb about “racism in country music”, Mike Parker sings a Morgan Wallen song, who got in big trouble after using the N word after a night of hard drinking?

— Anchboy71 (@anchboy71) April 26, 2022

mike talking about racism and then proceeds to choose a song by racist morgan wallen🤨 something ain’t adding up #AmericanIdol

— kaylee ❀ (@overpassjonas) April 26, 2022

Who gave the green light on the judges choice for Mike Parker of a Morgan Wallen song….#AmericanIdol

— Madison Dulaney (@madtravels24) April 26, 2022

Judge Luke Bryan drew criticism as well for giving Parker the choice:

luke, how are you going to advocate for racism and discrimination in the industry, then choose a morgan wallen song. and for a black contestant. #AmericanIdol

— ava ミ☆ (@PARANOlALIV) April 26, 2022

Ultimately, Park gave a solid performance of the song, one that earned praise from all three judges.

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