The 51st edition of the JUNO AWARDS took place tonight at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage, a return to an in-person format after the Pandemic halted celebrations last year. Held outdoors to pivot around Covid-19, the event was a welcomed return to outdoor music and this also is the first time the event was held in Toronto since 2011’s edition at Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena). Tonight’s Broadcast Gala, aired live on CBC, concluded a weekend of celebrations honouring the best in the Canadian Recording Industry, including a Comedy Showcase, the Cadillac Fairview JUNO Fan Fare allowing fans to meet some of their favourite emerging Artists, plus the Opening Night Awards, held at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
It was a star-studded affair on the outdoor Red Carpet as stars, including those performing, being honorued and nominated, made their way through, including the like of Shawn Mendes, Avril Lavigne and fiancé Mod Sun, Deborah Cox, Chris Bosh, Mustafa, Charlotte Cardin and several more. Host Simu Liu, star of Marvel’s SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS also graced us with his presence in a hot pink suit.
See Liu‘s Opening tonight, getting a little help from Michael Buble, Kim’s Convenience Co-star Andrew Phung.
Winning top honours tonight was Montreal’s Charlotte Cardin, who has had a career year and now is touring in support of her Album PHOENIX, which garnered her Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Pop Album of the Year and Single of the Year for “Meaningless” which she performed live on the Broadcast.
Pickering’s Shawn Mendes also fared very well not only being honoured with the International Achievement Award, but also received the TikTok JUNO FAN CHOICE AWARD, based on fan votes.
Scarborough’s Deborah Cox was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The R&B Vocalist known best for her smash hit “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here“, was supposed her ber friend and NBA Hall of Famer Chris Bosh who surprised. Several stars like Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Angela Bassett and John Legend recorded video greetings congratulating her.
Global Superstar Avril Lavigne might not have received any awards tonight, but added tons of starpower to the Awards this year, performing a Medley of her hits including “Complicated”/”Bite Me”/”Girlfriend”/”Sk8r Boi” and “I’m With You”. At her Ricoh Colisseum show last night, her label honoured her with a plaque for single “Bite Me” which has reached gold status in Canada.
The 2022 Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada was given to Susan Aglukark, recognizing her commitment to improving the lives of children and youth in Northern Indigenous communities.
Some magical Red Carpet moments we snapped tonight:
Mustafa and Shawn Mendes sharing an intimate moment backstage at #TheJunos. pic.twitter.com/WRsQNmMKUr
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) May 15, 2022
Avril Lavigne and Mod Sun backstage at #TheJunos. pic.twitter.com/R5tSicUZh2
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) May 15, 2022
Guests tonight got to experience this amazing Photo Op Booth courtesy of SONOS!
We’re at #TheJunos!! pic.twitter.com/WYI9LbMzuB
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) May 15, 2022
What a weekend!
The JUNO Awards return to Edmonton in 2023. Complete list of winners here.
(Photo/video credit: CBC/Mr. Will Wong)
The JUNOS celebrations continue in Toronto, honouring the best in Canadian Music! The Cadillac Fairview JUNO FAN FARE took place this afternoon at Eaton Centre as some of the biggest names to emerge in music from Canada graced the stage at the Meet & Greet, giving fans an opportunity to meet some of their new faves! A welcome return to in-person events, encouraging safety protocols to be observed despite social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines loosening-up recently in Toronto. Delighted fans even walked away with Cadillac Fairview Gift Cards!
Appearing at the event were Toronto’s own JP Saxe, who has built a massive following worldwide, and his smash hit “If the World Was Ending” with Julia Michaels, has dominated airwaves globally. Vancouver Island’s Lauren Spencer-Smith, who is known for advancing to the Top 20 of American Idol, but also her 2019 effort UNPLUGGED, VOL. 1 EP also garnered her a JUNO nomination. Among the others to appear were Regina’s Tesher known for his viral hit on TikTok, “Jalebi Baby”; double nominee Savanna Ré from Toronto; JUNO-winning Rap Artist TOBi from Toronto; Ottawa’s Elijah Woods who was nominated in 2020 for hit “Ain’t Easy“; and of course, Toronto Band Valley, who also are JUNO-nominated.
While we didn’t get a chance to see them in-person based on scheduling during Saxe‘s slot, Manitoba’s Faouzia and London’s Emanuel also were at the event too – a shame as we wish we didn’t have to choose!
Saxe performed a two-song set for the audience and will be back in Toronto this July for a two-night stint at The Danforth Music Hall as part of his Feelings are Stupid Tour. He also is building his following internationally collaborating with American-Chinese Megastar Eric Chou on “A Little Bit Yours“.
Some Snaps from the event:
… and of course, we’re just like you. We’re a fan too! Do you think we’d miss our chance to meet these stars?
The JUNO Awards take place tomorrow night at Budweiser Stage, and air on CBC at 8 PM ET!
(Photo/video credit: CBC)
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