Topless fan crashes Junos broadcast as Weeknd wins fifth award with album of the yr

A wildly unpredictable Juno Awards unfolded on Monday as a topless protester charged the stage, resulting in some feisty phrases from Avril Lavigne, whereas an absent the Weeknd emerged the highest winner this yr.

With a number of twists and turns, Canada’s greatest celebration of music did away with its sometimes tame proceedings shortly after the published bought underway.

Lavigne was interrupted by a topless girl who leapt on the stage sporting pasties on her breasts and “land again” painted on her arm.

The pop-punk princess appeared blindsided by the crasher and proceeded to swear at her, demanding she get off the stage. The particular person was shortly escorted away by safety.

Unfazed, Lavigne moved on to introduce a efficiency by Punjabi-Canadian singer and rapper AP Dhillon.

She returned later to just accept this yr’s fan selection award with a number of selection phrases and one other expletive: “No one strive something this time or the Canadian goes to return out of me and I’ll (mess) a bitch up.”

The sudden second set the tone for an brisk Junos that noticed the Weeknd’s smash hit Daybreak FM earn him album of the yr, including to 4 wins he scored at a Saturday trade occasion, together with artist and single of the yr for Sacrifice.

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After pop singer Tyler Shaw introduced the Toronto native, born Abel Tesfaye, was absent from the Junos, the group expressed their disappointment and commenced to boo.

Tesfaye did ship a written assertion supplied to The Canadian Press by Junos organizers:

“I’m so honoured to be acknowledged like this from my house nation that I like a lot. I’m so humbled by all this and will by no means thank followers sufficient,” he wrote.

Different winners included Jessie Reyez who picked up modern R&B recording of the yr for Yessie as her tearful father seemed on and Tobi who received rap album/EP of the yr for Shall I Proceed?

Newcomer Preston Pablo, who sings Flowers Want Rain, received breakthrough artist of the yr.

Particular honourees Nickelback have been current all through the night time, even earlier than they have been inducted into the Canadian Music Corridor of Fame in a pre-recorded message by actor Ryan Reynolds.

Guitarist Ryan Peake supplied a hand — and a guitar — in a gap bit the place Liu confirmed off his vocal chops with a canopy of Nickelback’s {Photograph}.

The entire band took the stage as Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid ushered them into the Corridor of Fame, saying Nickelback is amongst those that “have modified the sport eternally.”

In his speech, a smitten Chad Kroeger mirrored on his band’s humble beginnings in Hanna, Alta., saying they “had no thought what we have been doing and more often than not nonetheless don’t.”

“However every part we did led us to this second proper right here,” he added.

Just a little later, the band returned to shut out the published with a medley of their greatest hits that included greater than its share of fiery pyro results.

After the Junos, the organizers issued a press release saying they take “each step to keep away from interruptions” to this system, however that dwell broadcasts all the time embrace dangers.

“We hope tonight’s temporary disruption doesn’t take away from the accomplishments of this yr’s performers, winners and nominees,” they added.

But, artists continued to buzz in regards to the topless fan backstage, with Lavigne telling the press room she was assured it was “happening as one of many highlights.”

Liu, who signed off the present saying “sorry in regards to the boobs,” additionally joked about it backstage: “For those who had instructed me earlier than I hosted there could be somebody who would take their shirt off on the Junos, and it wouldn’t be me, I’d be shocked.”

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