Diddy Says He’s ‘Un-Canceling The Canceled’ By Booking Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen To Perform At Billboard Music Awards
“Canceling is a trend that needs to stop.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs isn’t just speaking out against cancel culture, the hip-hop mogul is “un-canceling” Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen by insisting they perform at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
Combs is hosting and executive producing the show, which will be broadcast on NBC May 15. Being in such a vital role, Combs says he had the power to “demand” that the network book Scott to perform alongside other celebrity acts including Bruno Mars and Anders.Paak’s Silk Sonic, Ed Sheeran, Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Thee Stallion.
“I made a request; I made a demand. I said my brother Travis Scott has to perform … And NBC said yes,” Combs said on Instagram after the rapper was booked.
The event will mark Scott’s first televised performance since 10 people were tragically killed at his Astroworld Festival in Houston, and Wallen’s first since he was banned from multiple industry ceremonies after a video surfaced of the country star saying the “n-word” to a friend on camera after a night of drinking.
Now in a new interview with Billboard, Combs elaborates on forgiving people who’ve been caught up in what he calls a “canceling trend.”
“The mood of the show is about love and forgiveness. As a musical family, none of us are saints; none of us are without things that happen to them in life.
“So one of the things I’m doing directly is un-canceling the canceled. That’s breaking news because people haven’t been about un-canceling. But canceling is a trend that needs to stop.”
Combs continued, saying this isn’t just about a “second chance at life” for Wallen and Diddy, but for everyone at a musical event held inside without masks after two years of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Travis went through a tragedy; Morgan [used the N-word] while talking to his boy. People make mistakes. Now we’re moving on with love and respect for everybody that was hurt or affected. It’s time to forgive,” Combs said.
“To have Morgan and Travis be able to come back and touch the stage again with the mindset of getting a second chance at life. Everybody in the room is getting a second chance at life, you know, because we’re back inside with no masks on. We need love and I’m excited about celebrating that.”
Honoring top Billboard chart performers across 62 categories, the BBMAs will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 15, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC, and will stream live on Peacock.
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