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 just a few twists and turns, Canada’s largest celebration of music did away with its usually tame proceedings shortly after the printed acquired underway.

Lavigne was interrupted by a topless lady who leapt on the stage carrying 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 individual 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 simply accept this yr’s fan selection award with just a few selection phrases and one other expletive: “No person attempt something this time or the Canadian goes to come back out of me and I’ll (mess) a bitch up.”

The surprising second set the tone for an lively 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 offered to The Canadian Press by Junos organizers:

“I’m so honoured to be acknowledged like this from my residence nation that I really 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 appeared on and Tobi who gained rap album/EP of the yr for Shall I Proceed?

Newcomer Preston Pablo, who sings Flowers Want Rain, gained 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 provided a hand — and a guitar — in a gap bit the place Liu confirmed off his vocal chops with a canopy of Nickelback’s {Photograph}.

All the 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 ceaselessly.”

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

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

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

After the Junos, the organizers issued an announcement saying they take “each step to keep away from interruptions” to this system, however that dwell broadcasts all the time embody 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 “taking place as one of many highlights.”

Liu, who signed off the present saying “sorry in regards to the boobs,” additionally joked about it backstage: “In case you had advised me earlier than I hosted there can be somebody who would take their shirt off on the Junos, and it wouldn’t be me, I might be shocked.”

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