Morgan Wallen paused his set Friday night at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium to offer prayers to Erika Kirk and her family, telling the audience he and his family were "sending prayers" before playing "I'm a Little Crazy."
"I'm not gonna say a whole bunch on this, but this song right here has been hitting me harder in the last couple days," Wallen said onstage, placing a hand over his heart. Concertgoers cheered and waved lighted cellphones in response to the shout-out, video from the show shows.
The tribute came as Erika Kirk broke her silence Friday night in a YouTube livestream after the Sept. 10 shooting that killed her husband, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. In the livestream, Erika said, "Two days ago, my husband Charlie went home to see the face of his savior and his God. Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith."
Erika Kirk addressed the outpouring of support and spoke directly to those she described as responsible for the attack, saying, "The evildoers responsible for my husband's assassination have no idea what they have done" and warning that her husband's movement will intensify. The couple shared two young children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot while onstage at Utah Valley University during a stop on his American Comeback Tour and died of his injuries, authorities have said. The shooting prompted reactions across the entertainment world this week. At Wembley Stadium in London, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin asked the crowd to "send love" to Kirk's family before performing "Fix You," encouraging attendees to extend compassion to people across political and geographic divides.
Wallen, 32, did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Kirk's death during the Edmonton performance; his brief remarks focused on offering support to Erika Kirk and dedicating the next song. Fans captured portions of the exchange on their phones and posted clips online.
The concert tribute and wider celebrity responses follow a steady stream of public statements and vigils in the days after the shooting. Erika Kirk's livestream reiterated the family's faith and called for continued support from his followers while characterizing the attack as an attempt to silence her husband's work. Law enforcement and officials continue to investigate the shooting and have released limited public details about the suspect and motive.
Wallen has occasionally used shows to offer personal comments and dedications; his appearance in Edmonton was part of a scheduled tour date. The band Coldplay's appeal for compassion and Wallen's onstage prayer both reflect the immediate cultural reaction in the music community to the death of a high-profile political commentator and the public grief that followed.