Country music star Zach Bryan has apologized after an altercation with Oklahoma police briefly landed him in jail Thursday.
Bryan, who currently has the No. 1 song and album on the Billboard charts, was arrested in Vinita, Oklahoma, and charged with obstructing an investigation, according to The New York Times. He was quickly released on bond, but a picture of his mug shot began circulating across social media and prompted the singer to address the incident.
Bryan admitted wrongdoing in a post to X, formerly Twitter, late Thursday, saying he was “truly sorry to the officers” and that “emotions got the best of me.”
According to NYT, the 27-year-old gave his account of the confrontation in a series of videos on Instagram Stories. The singer said he was traveling to Boston to attend a football game when he saw his security guard pulled over in another vehicle. He exited his car and was warned by police to return to his vehicle or risk being arrested, but Bryan refused and described being further disrespectful to an officer by interrupting him as he spoke.
“It was ridiculous, it was immature, and I just pray everyone knows that I don’t think I’m above the law,” Bryan said.
Bryan’s run-in with police was apparently his second within a span of 24 hours. According to Variety, the Oklahoma native also admitted he was pulled over for speeding in a separate incident and got into a verbal altercation with an officer. He was let off with a warning.
Earlier Thursday, Bryan had made headlines for receiving a nomination for New Artist of the Year at the upcoming CMA Awards in November. The singer, best known for the song “Something in the Orange,” released a self-titled album on August 25 that quickly rose to No. 1 on the charts. One of its songs—a collaboration with Kacey Musgraves titled “I Remember Everything”—is currently the top single.
Bryan also recently announced he will embark on a massive 2024 tour taking him to nearly 40 cities across the United States and Canada.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
