#FIRSTLOOK: NEW DOCUMENTARY “BREAKING IDOL” – JACOB HOGGARD ACCUSERS COME INTO LIGHT

Frantic Films’ new documentary BREAKING IDOL, from multi-Peabody and Emmy-nominated director Tiffany Hsiung, is now streaming on CBC Gem, ahead of The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, December 6th.

BREAKING IDOL confronts sexual violence, power and accountability in the Canadian music industry. The film reveals the identity of the woman whose testimony led to the conviction of Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard and follows her decision to reclaim her name, her story and her voice.

In February 2018, a young woman only known as “J.B.” reported being sexually assaulted by Jacob Hoggard, lead singer of the band Hedley in November 2016 (after she saw someone else come forward during #metoo). It took four years for the case to go to trial, and the conviction was handed down in June 2022. During that time, J.B. and the other victim-complainant withstood a brutal and protracted online assault from Hoggard fans who formed a group called the ‘Hedley Army’.

For the last seven years, anonymity was J.B.’s only protection.

Three months after Hoggard was found guilty in 2022, J.B. was listening to Canadian True Crime Podcast and realized they were covering her story and trial. Still under publication ban, she privately contacted podcast host Kristi Lee and a connection formed as the series unfolded. The podcast series entitled The Trial of Hedley’s Jacob Hoggard ranked among Apple’s Top 10 podcast episodes of 2023 in Canada.

When a third woman pressed sexual assault charges, and Hoggard headed toward a second trial, with the Hedley Army still rallying behind him, Frantic Films optioned the podcast and director-writer Hsiung joined the team to explore Hedley fandom, the role of social media and the power of the music industry in shaping our idols, while putting the survivor’s story front and centre and bringing J.B.’s voice to the world.

On November 19, 2025, J.B. shared her identity and her story for the first time in the documentary BREAKING IDOL, produced by Frantic Films and which premiered on CBC’s The Passionate Eye documentary series.

BREAKING IDOL urgently highlights one woman’s fight to reclaim her identity after nearly a decade of anonymity, flipping the ‘shame narrative’ from survivor to perpetrator in a system where over 80% of sexual assaults are never reported. In the documentary, survivor Jessica Baker, known during the trial as J.B., steps out from behind her pseudonym, revealing not only the trauma she endured but the cost of speaking out: relentless harassment, re-traumatization in the courtroom, and years of her life on hold. Her decision to confront both her abuser and the culture that enabled him becomes a powerful testament to resilience and self-determination.

Urgent and unwavering, BREAKING IDOL asks what happens when we finally see the human being behind the headlines and confront the cost of loving our idols more than the truth.

Since filming, Baker and Lee co-founded advocacy group www.beyondtheverdict.ca with BC survivor Kelly Favro.

“Meeting Jessica and witnessing her desire to reveal her identity was profoundly powerful; it was an act of reclaiming truth and shifting the shame from survivor to perpetrator. Shame too often leads to silence, and that silence allows sexual violence to continue unchecked. BREAKING IDOL is both a reckoning and an invitation, urging us to look honestly at how we may have contributed to a culture that protects perpetrators and suppresses survivors’ voices,” said Director Tiffany Hsiung.

“When Jessica first reached out to me, I was surprised and delighted,” said Canadian True Crime’s Kristi Lee, a consulting producer on the documentary. “She provided valuable insights that helped me understand what she endured, first with Hoggard in the hotel room, then later facing his defence lawyer in the courtroom. BREAKING IDOL captured the first time we met in person more than two years later, which was really meaningful for us both.”

BREAKING IDOL was written and directed by Tiffany Hsiung and produced by Jamie Brown, Sally Karam and Stephanie Fast at Frantic Films. Cinematography is by Ann Tipper, with music by Tom Third and editing by Navin Harrilal, and was made with the support of Kristi Lee and the Canadian True Crime podcast. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager of Entertainment, Factual, & Sports; Jennifer Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content; Sandra Kleinfeld is Senior Director, Documentary; and Michelle McCree is Executive in Charge of Production, The Passionate Eye and CBC Docs.

Join the mailing list on Beyond the Verdict https://www.beyondtheverdict.ca/

ABOUT TIFFANY HSIUNG (DIRECTOR)
Tiffany Hsiung is a multi-Peabody and two-time Canadian Screen Award-winning filmmaker based in Toronto. Named among DOC NYC’s 40 under 40, she has garnered five Emmy® nominations for Apple TV’s “JANE” series (2023-2025), inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall. Her short film “Sing Me a Lullaby” (2020) won the Oscar-qualifying Grand Jury Prize at DOC NYC, TIFF’s Share Her Journey Award, and earned spots on Canada’s Top Ten list. Her debut feature “The Apology” (2016) secured a Peabody Award, DuPont Columbia Award, and a host of international honors, including Best World Documentary at The Busan International Film Festival. Hsiung’s work has played in over 150 international film festivals and has earned over 25 awards internationally, released and broadcast globally. Hsiung’s innovative work extends to digital media with the Peabody-winning “The Space We Hold” (2017) and television directing for Emmy-winning Sinking Ship Entertainment, where she worked on several of their shows. She serves on the executive board of the Directors’ Guild of Canada, Ontario chapter, co-chairs its DEI advisory committee, and sits on the DOC Ontario board.

ABOUT JAMIE BROWN (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/PRODUCER)
As Frantic Films founding CEO, Jamie has been proud to see Frantic become one of Canada’s leading production companies. His first series created a new genre of television in Canada and contributed to being named the first recipient of the Lions Gate Innovative Producer Award in 2003. His many creative honors include Geminis, Banff Rockies, Canada Screen Awards, Golden Sheaf and Indiescreen awards. His work for non-profits include having been a Board member and Chair of the Canadian Media Producers Association, Canada’s National Screen Institute and Onscreen Manitoba. He currently sits on 4 non-profit boards involved in healthcare, public works and business. Most recently, Jamie was named to the Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour.

ABOUT SALLY KARAM (SUPERVISING PRODUCER)
Currently VP of Scripted & Unscripted Development at Frantic Films, Sally Karam is an award-winning producer behind internationally acclaimed feature films including Honey Bee, What We Have, and The End of Sex. Her films have played major festivals, earned jury recognition, and balance sharp storytelling and character-driven stories with real commercial appeal. Her broader slate spans internationally celebrated comedy and hard-hitting factual. She produced the international-award-winning phenomenon Baroness von Sketch Show and the political-comedy series Kal Penn Approves This Message. On the doc/factual side, she’s delivered premium true-crime and paranormal franchises including the Gemini-nominated Forensic Factor, Paranormal Survivor, and Alien Mysteries, plus a slate of top-performing MOWs for Hallmark, Lifetime, WNetwork, and UPtv. Previously, she served as VP of Production at Vortex Media, overseeing an annual roster of independent features and TV movies.

ABOUT STEPHANIE FAST (PRODUCER)
Over the past 15 years, award–winning producer and executive producer Stephanie Fast has been central to Frantic Films’ success, with credits on series such as Baroness Von Sketch Show, The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, Backyard Builds, and Still Standing. She is President of Frantic Films, overseeing all production, post, operations, and distribution across the company’s Toronto and Winnipeg offices, including the international distribution of over 80 hours of programming into 100+ markets. With more than 20 years in the industry, she has worked with major partners such as CORUS, CBC, Bell, TSN, HGTV, Magnolia, and Discovery, and in 2025 she joined the Board of Directors of FilmOntario.

#HORSERACING: SIR DUDLEY DIGGES WINS 2016 QUEEN’S PLATE IN AN UPSET!

The 157th running of the Queen’s Plate was held today at Woodbine Racetrack, bringing together some stellar fields of horses leading up to the $1-million marquee moment, North America’s most historic thoroughbred horse race.  Winning in an upset victory this year was SIR DUDLEY DIGGES, owned by racing icons, Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Shipping-in from the U.S. the three-year-old Gio Ponti colt under jockey Julien Leparoux closed late furiously to claim the victory over favoured AMI’S GIZMO.

Won in a time of 2:04.09 for one and a quarter miles, SIR DUDLEY DIGGES won by half a length. Finishing third was ALL ON RED. The winner paid $33.90 to a $2 bet.

Ramsey, who has plans to continue bringing his business north, spoke at a media scrum following the race at Woodbine‘s Press Box, indicating his sights are set on winning the Canadian Triple Crown (Fort Erie‘s Prince of Wales Stakes, followed by Woodbine‘s Breeders’ Stakes). One of his former Queen’s Plate contenders WE MISS ARTIE now is standing in Ontario as a stallion and he has sent some mares up to be bred to him.

In addition, the amazing day of races featured wins by LEXIE LOU (former Horse of the Year and Queen’s Plate victress), DANISH DYNAFORMER (former Queen’s Plate candidate and winner of the Breeders’ Stakes), CONQUEST ENFORCER (originally considered for the Queen’s Plate) and PASSION FOR ACTION (a hard-knocking local sprinter). A filled grandstand and the thunderous roar of the crowd very much is telling that Horse Racing is still alive here in Canada!

Check out some of our highlights of the day including some of the headlining names at the first-ever Queen’s Plate concert including Hedley, The Strumbellas and Matthew Good.  We love the colourful fashion, the brilliant fascinators, the amazing food trucks, cocktails and festivity.  The Queen’s Plate outdid itself once again and it forever is our highlight of the Summer.

 

My #QP16 look

#QP16-ready with Billy, Princess (@apicbymrwill) + Mom. Separates: #RalphLauren. Tie: #TommyHilfiger. PorkPie and Sunglasses: #UrbanOutfitters. #QueensPlate #MensStyle

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 8:46am PDT

 

Showtime!

And it’s showtime! #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 9:31am PDT

 

The Paddock Party

Don’t forget to check out the Paddock Party! An Oasis! Today’s official hashtag is #QP16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 9:31am PDT

 

Food Trucks!

Food trucks! Food trucks! #QP16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 9:45am PDT

 

Buster’s Sea Cove’s Key Lime Pie In a Jar

Found my fave! Key Lime Pie.. in a jar from #BustersSeaCove! #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 9:49am PDT

 

#RethinkattheRaces

The official cocktail of #RethinkattheRaces, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Lemonade + Soda. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 10:04am PDT

 

#FashionattheRaces with Bri Mott

Don’t forget to see @fashionattheraces at #QP16! Best-dressed contest coming right up!

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 10:18am PDT

 

With Ray Paulick (The Paulick Report) and Yvonne Schwabe

With Ray Paulick (Paulick Report) + Owner/Breeder @Yschwabe. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 10:38am PDT

 

Passion for Action wins the Highlander!

Go Team DePaulo, Benjamin Hutzel and Passion for Action who scored huge in the Highlander! #QP16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 11:02am PDT

 

Ryan Campbell, groom of Passion for Action

The taste of victory! Loved seeing #PassionforAction’s groom Ryan Campbell tasting that sweet success! #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 11:51am PDT

 

With Racing Ambassador Dan Tordjman and his father Max

With @danonymousracing and his dad Max! #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 11:55am PDT

 

Conquest Enforcer wins the Charlie Barley

When you are just a cut above the rest. #ConquestEnforcer smashed it again in the Charlie Barley! #QP16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 12:10pm PDT

 

Team Casse

Love Team #MarkCasse! A real exciting racing empire. Powerful score with #ConquestEnforcer earlier in the Charlie Barley. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 12:20pm PDT

 

Fashionistas

Loving some of the fashion we’re seeing at #QP16. @geekigirl’s fascinator. 👏

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 11:58am PDT

Cute cute cute. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 11:57am PDT

More #QP16 Cuties. Hi @nataliedeane!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 12:12pm PDT

These girls are all sorts of YES! #QP16 Style done right.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

 

Woodbine’s Dawn Lupul

My hun @WoodbineDawn channeling rock goddess. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT

 

Jackie Redmond of The Score

Hands down one of the best-dressed today! Gorgeous sports personality #JackieRedmond. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 12:32pm PDT

 

Katie Lamb, Toronto Star (Trainer Mark Cassse picked her Fascinator!)

Katie Lamb (@katielamb) with a photobomb by the brilliant Lady Shipman. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT

 

Alx Feliz performing the Anthem

#AlxFeliz performing the anthem. #QP16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:02pm PDT

 

The Hamilton Tigercats walk the Pink Carpet

So the #HamiltonTigercats showed up! #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:16pm PDT

 

The Social’s Melissa Grelo and The Strumbellas

#TheSocialCTV’s @MelissaGrelo with #TheStrumbellas! #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:24pm PDT

With #TheStrumbellas. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:26pm PDT

 

Rethink Breast Cancer Ambassador Sarah Regan walks the Pink Carpet

#TheSocialCTV’s #CynthiaLoyst with Sarah Regan, Ambassador for #RethinkBreastCancer. #RethinkattheRaces #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:38pm PDT

 

Hedley walk the Pink Carpet

#Hedley have arrived! Our #QP16 Headliner!!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:49pm PDT

With #JacobHoggard of #Hedley. The triple concert starts in an hour! #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 2:33pm PDT

 

Lexie Lou wins the Dance Smartly

Literally crying before thousands of people. The Queen reigns in the Dance Smartly. #QP16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 2:11pm PDT

 

Sir Dudley Digges wins the 2016 Queen’s Plate

#SirDudleyDigges wins the #QP16!

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 3:08pm PDT

 

Winning jockey Julien Leparoux cools down in Press Box

Julien Leparoux cools down after his winning ride. #QP16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 3:17pm PDT

 

With winning owner of Sir Dudley Digges, Ken Ramsey and Trainer Mike Maker

With racing icon #KenRamsey and trainer #MichaelMaker who are in #QP16 with Sir Dudley Digges.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 11:56am PDT

 

Matthew Good

Total festival vibe. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 5:28pm PDT

 

Hedley

#Hedley hit the stage! @woodbineracing #QP16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 6:20pm PDT

 

That’s a wrap!

And that’s a wrap! Time for a breather. #QP16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 3, 2016 at 3:17pm PDT

My #QP16 Snapchat Story:

Missed the Queen’s Plate? There’s still a long season ahead filled with amazing racing!  We’ll see you at Woodbine!

We’d like to thank our official partners Ford Canada for making the Ford Fiesta our official car Canada Day/Queen’s Plate weekend and Hotel Novotel Mississauga Centre for being our official Queen’s Plate hotel!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#NEWMUSIC: 2015 JUNO AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Nominees for the 2015 JUNO Awards were announced earlier today at Danforth Music Hall.  After already what has been a smashing year internationally for Toronto Band MAGIC!, it all comes back full circle as the Quartet lead the way at the 2015 JUNO Awards with five nominations including Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Breakthrough Group of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Pop Album of the Year.

Not far behind with four nominations apiece were Canadian Dance-Pop Queen Kiesza getting nods for Single of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Dance Recording of the Year and Video of the Year thanks to the success of her hit Single, Hideaway. Canadian Icon Leonard Cohen also received four nominations: JUNO Fan Choice, Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year.

Up for International Album of the Year is a star-studded list including One Direction, Sam Smith, Katy Perry, Lorde and Taylor Swift.

The Breakthrough Artist of the Year Category also boasts an eclectic mix of new Talent including massively-popular Shawn Mendes, Glenn Morrison, Jess Moskaluke, Kiesza and Mac DeMarco.

Confirmed to perform thus far at the Ceremony include Hedley, Shawn Mendes, Kiesza and The Arkells. Rush will be receiving the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award.

The 2015 JUNO Awards take place Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario.

See the complete list of Nominees here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SPOTTED: STARS IN TORONTO TO CELEBRATE 2013 CANADA’S WALK OF FAME AWARDS SHOW INCLUDING MIKE MYERS, VICTOR GARBER, MARTIN SHORT, DAVID FOSTER, ALICE COOPER, JOANNA KERNS & MORE

It certainly was a star-studded night in Toronto as the 15th annual Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Show was held at Elgin Theatre.  The Ceremony honours Canadians who have made significant contributions in the Arts, Sports, Science and Innovation.  The Event was preceded by a Red Carpet which shut-down a section of Yonge Street beforehand.

Honourees this year include:

Bob Ezrin
Terry Fox
Victor Garber
Craig & Marc Kielburger
Oscar Peterson
Christine Sinclair
Alan Thicke

Presenters and Performers also added much Starpower to the Affair including the likes of  Mike Myers (just here last week for TIFF ’13 with Documentary Supermensch), Martin Short, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jacob Hoggard (Hedley), David Foster, Joanna Kerns, Alice Cooper and several more.   Cooper even performed a Medley of his mega-hit School’s Out for Summer together with Pink Floyd‘s The Wall.

Global Television airs the 2013 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Show on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 8:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

CANADA’S FINEST HONOURED AT 23RD ANNUAL SOCAN AWARDS GALA

Canada’s Finest were honoured tonight at Roy Thomson Hall, where the 23rd Annual SOCAN Awards Gala was held.  The Gala honours the Country’s most prolific Songwriters, Composers, Lyricists and Music Publishers in the following Genres: Pop/Rock, Dance, Urban, Country, Jazz, Folk/Roots, Classical and Film & Television. Appearing tonight were the likes of Jacob Hoggard (Hedley), Dragonette, Alyssa Reid, Kristina Maria, JRDN, Danny Fernandes, Fefe Dobson, Alyssa Reid and more.  CTV‘s Seamus O’Reagan hosted the Event.

Receiving top honours were three v. prolific Canadian Musicians who have gained much respect abroad: deadmau5 (International Achievement Award), Trooper (National Achievement Award) and Bruce Cockburn (Lifetime Achievement Award) – the latter also who was honoured with a fittingly-legendary Tribute by Royal Wood, Serena Ryder and Hawksley Workman.  Members of Trooper and Cockburn were present to accept their Awards.

Although unable to attend, prolific names like Michael Bublé, Johnny Reid and K’Naan each received Songwriting Awards for their Hits Hollywood, Let’s Go Higher and The Lazy Song, respectively.  On-hand to accept Awards in that same Category were JRDN (Like Magic) and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace (Lost in You). Dragonette‘s Martina Sorbara was the deserving Winner of  the Dance Music Award for her Collaboration with Martin Solveig, Hello.

Learn more about SOCAN here.

(Photo credit: Kara Maclean/Touchwood PR)