Avril Lavigne got a visit from a surprise guest during Monday night’s 2023 Juno Awards. As the singer was announcing an upcoming performance from Indo-Canadian musician AP Dhillon, a topless protester interrupted her by hopping onstage right beside her.
The protester paraded around the stage wearing just bright pink pants, combat boots, and pasties, while their back was scribbled with the call to action “Save the Greenbelt.” The message references the Greenbelt area in Ontario, a two million acre area of preserved green space that developers have recently begun eyeing for residential and industrial development projects.
Lavigne just about completed introducing Dhillon before addressing the protester: “Get the fuck off, bitch,” she said with a chuckle that suggested she didn’t take the interruption too personally. Security then proceeded to lead the uninvited guest offstage.
Later on in the evening, Lavigne was presented with the TikTok Juno Fan Choice Award. “Now, nobody try anything this time,” she joked during her acceptance speech. “Or the Canadian is gonna come out of me, and I’ll fuck a bitch up.”
Does Canada allow swearing on live cable TV? See clips of the incident below.
Lavigne shared her latest album Love Sux in February 2022, and celebrated its release with a slew of live performances that included a set at When We Were Young Festival. Last November, she teamed up with YUNGBLUD for the song “I’m a Mess,” which we crowned Song of the Week.
A topless woman interrupted Avril Lavigne onstage at The JUNO Awards:
“Get the fuck off, bitch!” #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/XzyCw2Qeft
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 14, 2023
Why did a topless lady just get on the stage during Avril Lavigne’s speech at the junos pic.twitter.com/mj9UhopuyT
— mazzy (@mazzypopstar) March 14, 2023