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)
It was the hottest ticket in the City and Toronto got treated to two nights of triple Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo at Massey Hall, on her first self-headlining Sour Tour. With tickets selling-out instantly, the Tour gave fans a chance to see Rodrigo perform in an intimate setting versus going the arena/stadium route. This was surprising seeing how popular she is. That being said, the tickets were highly-coveted and many got shut-out. And yes, we’re a little sour about that!
Rodrigo performed a 13-track set, with English Singer-Songwriter Holly Humberstone supporting her. The set featured tracks off her debut album SOUR, but included one special cover of Avril Lavigne‘s smash hit “Complicated“. And ever better, Lavigne, who happened to be in Toronto getting ready to kick-off her BITE ME Tour tomorrow night, was able to join her on-stage! Fans were ecstatic!
🎥 | More of Liv with @AvrilLavigne at #SOURtourtoronto! pic.twitter.com/ZOWh8iaaSC
— Olivia Rodrigo Daily (@DailyRodrigo) April 30, 2022
Lavigne, who herself would understand the instant meteoric success that Rodrigo is experiencing, having dominated Pop Charts in the early ’00s, just recently got engaged to Singer MOD SUN, who also was in-attendance at the show. She will appear in May at the JUNOs again in Toronto!
We spotted Lavigne and Mod Sun leaving the show tonight together, both stopping for autographs and selfies with fans. The commotion reached a high-peak with a huge crowd lining the stage door at the theatre for a chance to see Rodrigo up-close, only for her to be snuck-out quietly out the venue.
See our Snaps:
Rodrigo is expected to head next to New York for Monday’s Met Gala, her second time attending. Many are guessing she will wear Vivienne Westwood after she sported a creation by her at the Grammys recently.
We cannot wait to see Rodrigo live one day! So jealous of everyone who got a chance to see her live!
We were lucky enough to spot Rodrigo around town. More on that here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Olivia Rodrigo Daily)
Mr. Will Wong and Sony Music Canada are thrilled to give Readers a chance to attend one of this Summer’s hottest Events, the KISS 92.5 WHAM BAM! We all know how much I love KISS 92.5, Avril Lavigne and Robin Thicke! Lavigne and Thicke will be co-headlining this year’s Show which features also Shawn Desman, Classified, Nikki Williams and also Set It Off Live with Mocha & DJ Clymaxxx.
Proceeds from Ticket Sales go to Red Cross in aid of Calgary Flood Relief efforts.
The Show starts 5:00 PM at Toronto’s Molson Amphitheatre. It’s not too late to get tickets here still!
This Contest runs only for a few hours, so hurry! To enter, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share this Post right away with your Friends to increase your chances, or Re-Tweet the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/kiss925whambam @MRWILLW wants us to #win Tickets to tomorrow’s #KISSWHAMBAM featuring #AvrilLavigne and #RobinThicke!
Have you checked out Lavigne‘s awesome new Video for Rock N Roll? Watch here.
Good luck.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
I really don’t care what anyone says, I still love Avril Lavigne and this new Video for latest Single Rock N Roll has her going all out! See Avril and The Wonder Years’ Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper) take on the evil forces against Rock N Roll in this amazing Comic-inspired Clip directed by Chris Marrs Piliero.
Spoiler Alert: there is an epic kiss, a fancy guitar solo and a shark-headed bear!
See the Video below (Warning: NSFW language):
Rock N Roll is available on iTunes August 27, 2013. Pre-order here.
We met Avril earlier this year finally. Read about that here!
(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)
Just when I thought he’d disappeared completely from my memory, this weekend while out and about for the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards, I encountered a familiar face once again. Unfortunately it wasn’t one I have fond memories of.
As I noticed Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger being ushered in and out of their Hotel on their way to the Awards, I was quite shocked to see “Ed“, former Lady Gaga Bodyguard, among their Entourage. My most loyal Readers will remember him as being the Guy who roughed me up a couple years back, prompting me to write a letter to Gaga‘s Management, which was reviewed right away.
Surely, I can’t be the only Fan who had a bad experience with him and although we cannot confirm if his departure from Camp Gaga was voluntary or involuntary, it sure looks as though he hasn’t changed one bit. Although I’m a bit red-in-the-face to read that Piece again recalling my Run-in with him back in March 2011, here it is. The memories and emotions were real at the time and I’ll be the first to admit that it hurt.
Those who watched the MuchMusic Video Awards last night will notice Ed‘s graceless blunder as Lavigne’s SUV arrived on the Red Carpet, where they were greeted by Host T-RexXx. As is the case with all other Guests last night, the Host extended a warm welcome to all by opening their Car Doors for them. Of course, Ed gracelessly tried thwarting the perfectly harmless greeting before realizing his own overreaction, which was captured by Cameras. What was he thinking? The Guy had a MuchMusic Mic in his hand! I mean, I’m all for protecting the Talent and doing your job, but this is just beyond.
I could watch this on loop all day:
Canadian Music was front and center at the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards, the annual Spectacle held at the Station’s Queen Street Headquarters and among tonight’s top Winners were Canadian Rappers Drake and Classified, in addition to Pop-Rock Outfit, Mariana’s Trench. Hosted by Korean Pop Sensation PSY, Fans did not walk away disappointed as he danced and sang his way to the hearts of Canadians, with two high-energy performances of his Singles Gangnam Style and Gentleman respectively.
After being spotted arriving in Toronto at his Condo by Fans just after 8:00 PM tonight, Drake scooted over to MuchMusic right away to pick-up his Awards for both Director of the Year and Hip-Hop Video of the Year with his recent Single, Started from the Bottom.
Meanwhile, Nova Scotia-born Classified took home Video of the Year and MuchFact Video of the Year with Inner Ninja, his Collaboration with David Myles. In total, he has earned five MMVAs in his Career.
Likewise, Mariana’s Trench who performed tonight in Dress Shirts and Underwear, also notched their fifth MMVA, winning Pop Video of the Year with Desperate Measures and Your Fave Video with Stutter.
After making their way to Toronto for the Awards Show, Demi Lovato, Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift all were rewarded tonight. Swift was awarded Your Fave International Artist or Group by Fans, saying in her Speech “Thank you to MuchMusic for playing Videos”, a statement which many might dispute about the Station. This is Swift‘s first MMVA.
Lavigne won International Video of the Year by a Canadian with Here’s To Never Growing Up. Several are reporting that the Singer may be pregnant, fueled further by lots of purple smoke being blown during her Performance tonight and a heavy focus on Close-Up Shots. Lovato who performed tonight with fine vocals, won International Video of the Year – Artist with Heart Attack. She is expected to fly out for a taping of The X Factor tomorrow.
For a complete list of Winners, click here.
Missed the MMVAs? Watch them here.
See my Snaps of some of the Stars around town this weekend here!
(Photo credit: Steve Haining and Sandra Elford)
The Stars have descended upon Toronto for the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards and while preparations are well under-way over at the Station’s Queen Street Headquarters with Soundchecks taking place throughout the day, several Guests and Performers are just now arriving. Several Fans today not only got a Sneak Peek of tomorrow night’s performances, but some were even lucky enough to meet the Performers including Co-Host PSY, who was gracious to stop for Snaps earlier today with Fans! Others like Armin Van Buuren, Avril Lavigne, Phillip Phillips and more graced the stage today.
Meanwhile on the other end of the City, we were lucky enough to witness several of tomorrow’s Presenters arrive including the likes of Josh Bowman (Revenge), Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars), Kunal Nayyar (Big Bang Theory), Naya Rivera (Glee), Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars), Popstar Cody Simpson and this year’s MMVAs “It Couple” Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect, Hairspray) and Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf). Red-hot Arrow Star Stephen Amell, who hails from Toronto, already has been in town for a bit in advance of the Show.
Meanwhile, Australian Internet Sensations The Janoskians have been causing quite a rage at their Hotel, requiring their Security to step-it-up a bit as their hoards of female Fans shower them with attention.
And although simultaneously in town for her Red Tour at Rogers Centre, Taylor Swift and Tourmate Ed Sheeran are expected to grace the Queen Street Stage tomorrow and some are saying they just might perform their latest Single Everything Has Changed as a surprise.
The 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards air tomorrow night at 9:00 PM EST on both MuchMusic and Fuse.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Canadian Megastar Avril Lavigne is back in town to promote her brand new Single, Here’s To Never Growing Up. Lavigne beat her Fans to the punch, getting to her first appearance of the day before 7:00 AM. After a quick touch-up by her Make-up Artist upon existing her Suburban, she donned her famous Aviators looking Military-chic, to pose for some Photos. Although quiet, she actually is really, really nice and after trying for the past 10 years, finally I got my Snap with her and even Billy was a part of the fun!
On the itinerary this morning were to back-to-back Interviews at KISS 92.5‘s The Roz & Mocha Show and 98.1 CHFI. Catching wind of her appearance just in time, Fans arrived catching the Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Designer and Actress who not only has sold over 30 million Albums, but also 50 million Singles in her eleven-year Career.
Lavigne arrived this weekend from Los Angeles with soon-to-be Husband Chad Kroeger, Frontman of Nickelback and today she was sporting proudly her 14-carat Diamong Ring while doing Press. Later today she will make a highly-publicized visit to MuchMusic‘s New.Music.Live, inviting Fans on Twitter to come down to see her at 6:00 PM, when she is expected to greet Fans by the window.
Here’s to Never Growing Up (co-written with Kroeger) continues to climb the charts and already is at number 17 on the Canadian Hot 100, while in the U.S. the Track is at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Singer’s still-untitled fifth Studio Disc is due this September via Sony Music Canada and a second Single already has been slated, titled Rock and Roll. It is said that Lavigne was courting a famous Female Vocalist to collaborate on the Track.
Just last month, Lavigne was voted one of Canada’s 50 Most Beautiful People as per Hello! Canada. More on that here.
Lavigne also was just announced to perform at the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards on Sunday, June 16, 2013 here in Toronto!
See Lavigne with Fans earlier outside KISS 92.5 Studios:
See our Snap below:
Avril Lavigne covers this week’s issue of Hello! Canada, featuring their 50 Most Beautiful Canadians. Set to return with her current single Here’s to Never Growing Up, Editor-in-Chief Alison Eastwood released a statement saying, “Unveiling our annual Most Beautiful issue is as thrilling as giving a close friend a big, beautiful birthday present. And this year is especially exciting. Avril and her Fiancé Chad Kroeger have been great friends to HELLO! Canada, their Wedding is just around the corner, and our exclusive (and rare) Photo Shoot, on the eve of Avril’s return to the pop charts, was nothing short of magical.”.
The List ranges from Media, Ballerinas, Singers to Movie Stars with some surprises and some names you have to do a quick Google Image search for. Selected this year by the Magazine are:
Stephen Amell
Actor: Arrow, CTV
Hometown: Toronto
Will Arnett
Actor: Arrested Development, Netflix
Hometown: Toronto
Justin Bieber
Singer, Universal
Hometown: Stratford, Ont.
Jean-Luc Bilodeau
Actor: Baby Daddy, ABC Spark
Hometown: Vancouver
Dean Brody
Singer, Universal
Hometown: Jaffray, B.C.
Michael Bublé
Singer, Warner
Hometown: Burnaby, B.C.
Sidney Crosby
Professional hockey player, Pittsburgh Penguins
Hometown: Cole Harbour, N.S.
Antonio Cupo
Actor: Bomb Girls, Global TV
Hometown: Vancouver
Victoria Duffield
Singer, Warner
Hometown: Abbotsford, B.C.
Matt Dusk
Singer, eOne Music
Hometown: Toronto
Nathan Fillion
Actor: Castle, CTV
Hometown: Edmonton
Mitsou Gélinas
Radio host: Rythme FM
Hometown: Montreal
Ryan Gosling
Actor
Hometown: Cornwall, Ont.
Pascale Hutton
Actor: Arctic Air, CBC
Hometown: Creston, B.C.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Singer, Universal
Hometown: Mission, B.C.
Sean Jones
Singer
Hometown: Toronto
Tanya Kim
Anchor: etalk, CTV
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Adam Korson
Actor: Seed, City
Hometown: Thornhill, Ont.
Kristin Kreuk
Actor: Beauty and the Beast, Showcase
Hometown: Vancouver
Amanda Lang
Anchor: The Lang and O’Leary Exchange, CBC
Hometown: Ottawa
Avril Lavigne
Singer, Sony
Hometown: Napanee, Ont.
Dan Levy
Actor: TV/film
Hometown: Toronto
Raine Maida
Singer, Warner
Hometown: Toronto
Rachel McAdams
Actor
Hometown: St. Thomas, Ont.
Kandyse McClure
Actor: Hemlock Grove, Netflix
Hometown: Vancouver
Tracy Moore
Host: Cityline, City
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ont.
Ashley Diana Morris
Guess! model
Hometown: Toronto
Alanis Morissette
Singer, Collective Sounds
Hometown: Ottawa
Enuka Okuma
Actor: Rookie Blue, Global TV
Hometown: Vancouver
Ellen Page
Actor
Hometown: Halifax
Jessica Paré
Actor: Mad Men, AMC
Hometown: Montreal
Jason Priestley
Actor
Hometown: Vancouver
Milos Raonic
Professional tennis player
Thornhill, Ont.
Lisa Ray
Host: Top Chef Canada, Food Network Canada
Hometown: Toronto
Ryan Reynolds
Actor
Hometown: Vancouver
Ed Robertson
Singer, Warner
Hometown: Toronto
Sonia Rodriguez
Principal dancer, National Ballet of Canada
Hometown: Toronto
Anna Silk
Actor: Lost Girl, Showcase
Hometown: Fredericton
Hannah Simone
Actor: New Girl, City
Hometown: Calgary
Cobie Smulders
Actor: How I Met Your Mother, City
Hometown: Vancouver
Scott Speedman
Actor
Hometown: Toronto
Jessica Stam
Model
Hometown: Kincardine, Ont.
George Stroumboulopoulos
Host: George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, CBC
Hometown: Toronto
David Sutcliffe
Actor: Cracked, CBC
Hometown: Saskatoon
Shania Twain
Singer, Universal
Hometown: Timmins, Ont.
Emily VanCamp
Actor: Revenge, City
Hometown: Port Perry, Ont.
Cory Vitiello
Executive chef: The Harbord Room
Hometown: Brantford, Ont.
Roz Weston
Senior entertainment reporter, ET Canada, Global TV
Hometown: Acton, Ont.
Ellen Wong
Actor: The Carrie Diaries, City
Hometown: Toronto
Kevin Zegers
Actor
Hometown: Woodstock, Ont.
See the Cover below:
The 124-page Double Issue is now on Newsstands.
(Photo/ credit: Hello! Canada/Sony Music)
After a tease three weeks ago, Avril Lavigne unleashes her new Single Here’s to Never Growing Up from her as-yet-untitled fifth Studio Disc from Sony Music. The Track, produced by Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls is sonically a bit along the lines of Taylor Swift‘s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. Sounds an awful lot like Spring, yes?
Growing-up perhaps a bit too much on her last Disc Goodbye Lullaby, Lavigne has some fun again here, revealing that the upcoming Disc will be the complete opposite of that mellow 2010 Effort.
Inviting Fans to participate on the fun by uploading clips of themselves, the Lyric Video for the Track also has just surfaced below:
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com