Morgan Wallen has taken home the most coveted award at the 2024 CMA Awards – in a figurative sense, that is.

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

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

It remains unclear why Wallen — who wrapped up his One Night at a Time tour in October — was absent from that evening’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 representative for Wallen did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The singer, who was previously nominated for entertainer of the year in 2023 and 2022, ultimately beat Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs for the win.

The star was ineligible to compete for awards in solo categories, including entertainer and male singer of the year, at the 2021 CMAs after he was caught using a racial slur on camera.

He returned to the awards show in 2023, joining HARDY and Post Malone for a tribute to Joe Diffie.

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

See all of PEOPLE’s full CMA Awards coverage here.

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

That same week, he wrapped up his massive One Night at a Time World tour in Charlotte, NC

One thing at a time is one of the most successful releases of his career. It not only debuted on top of the Billboard 200, it held this position for 19 consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running No. 1 country album of all time on the chart.

The song “Last Night” from the record reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 – Wallen’s first song to do so – and went on to receive a nomination for Best Country Song at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

The 58th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC on Wednesday, November 20 from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The show will stream on Hulu the next day.