Avril Lavigne Tells Topless Protester “Get the Fuck Off” at 2023 Juno Awards

Onstage at the Juno Awards in Canada, Avril Lavigne confronted a topless environmental protester. The woman ran onto the stage behind the singer as she introduced a performance at the start of Monday’s ceremony in Toronto.

A message on her back said, “save the green belt,” presumably about the Ontario government’s contentious housing development plan. Before confronting the woman, Lavigne attempted to finish her speech.

Lavigne turned around and told the woman to “get the fuck off,” swatting at her breast. A security guard then escorted the protester off the stage. Avril was introducing Canadian-Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s performance when the woman appeared on the stage behind her.

Avril Lavigne later won the final award of the evening, the TikTok Juno fan choice award, alluding in her speech to a bizarre moment earlier in the ceremony when a topless protester appeared on stage behind her.

“Now, nobody do anything this time. I’ll fuck a bitch up,” Avril Lavigne joked to the Juno Awards crowd.

In connection with the incident, Casey Hatherly, 37, of Vancouver, British Columbia, was charged with mischief on Tuesday.

In an emailed statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), which hosts the Junos, said the organization does everything possible to avoid interruptions to the program, but “there are always risks with live events and broadcasts.”

“We hope tonight’s brief interruption does not diminish the achievements of this year’s performers, winners, and nominees.”

Jessie Reyez and Preston Pablo both win.

Although The Weeknd won album of the year for Dawn FM, he did not attend the ceremony, prompting jeers from the audience. The Toronto singer received four awards during Juno’s opening night ceremony on Saturday evening.

“It’s an honor to be recognized here,” Reyez said during her acceptance speech, adding that she was honored to be nominated alongside artists such as DVSN and Savannah Ré.

Preston Pablo, a pop artist from Timmins, Ont., was named breakthrough artist of the year. The 21-year-old singer thanked his family and “the amazing fans for being such a huge part of why I’m here today” during his speech.

Nickelback has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later, Nickelback was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

During a pre-recorded segment, actor Ryan Reynolds referred to the band as “the pride of Alberta,” followed by an onstage introduction from Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid.

Jessie Reyez of Toronto won the R&B award for her 2022 album YESSIE and later performed her song Mutual Friend onstage.

Chad Kroeger, who appeared alongside guitarist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Daniel Adair, stated they only had about two minutes to speak.

“It all started 27 years ago in a little town called Hanna, 300 kilometers southeast of here,” Kroeger said, referring to the band’s hometown.

“We had no idea what we were doing, and we still don’t most of the time. But everything we did end up bringing us to this point. But we didn’t get here without a lot of assistance. “Before each band member thanked their collaborators and loved ones, he added.

The band ended the show by performing their songs Rockstar, How You Remind Me, and Animals, followed by a montage of music videos highlighting some of their biggest hits.

After the show, Kroeger spoke to the press about the band’s mistreatment by the music industry.

“We have been the music industry’s whipping boys for far too long. “It’s nice to see a change,” he said, adding that the members of the band don’t “kill puppies.” “or make headlines for inappropriate behavior.

“We’re four musicians who have been ripped through the mud and worse for 15 years of our 27-year career. So, how does it feel? It fucking stinks, “Kroeger went on to say, “How does it feel to win this award tonight? Fucking Redemption!”