Avril Lavigne confronts environmental protester at Juno Awards 2023 after finishing her speech

During the Juno Awards, Canada's version of the Brits, Avril Lavigne confronted a topless anti-environment protester.

In the beginning of the event on Monday, a lady jumped onto the stage behind the singer as she was introducing a performance.

"Save the green belt" was written on her back, ostensibly in response to a divisive home construction proposal by the Ontario government.


Before addressing the woman, Lavigne made an effort to complete her remarks.

She yelled, "Get the [expletive] off," and swiped at her breast, according to CBC News in Canada. A security officer then led the woman off the platform.

In her subsequent victory speech, the pop rocker made a reference to the intrusion.

"This time, don't attempt anything. I'll mistreat a lady”, Lavigne joked when she accepted the TikTok Juno fan choice award.

Simu Liu, who plays Shang-Chi star Avril Lavigne, lauded the Ontario native for "handling that topless lady like a champion" at the event.

The Ontario government published new regulations in November that call for removing 7,400 acres of Greenbelt land protection to make way for 50,000 new houses by 2025.



The province's integrity commissioner and auditor general are looking into the action, which has drawn criticism from environmental organizations.

The artist received his 22nd Juno award for Dawn FM, a concept album with a purgatory theme that won album of the year, surpassing Celine Dion and Bryan Adams.

Only Anne Murray, a country-pop singer, has more, with 24.

The performer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, was not present for the occasion, and it is said that the audience in Edmonton, Alberta's Rogers Place booed him for missing it.

Avril Lavigne's ex-husband Chad Kroeger, the main vocalist of the rock group Nickelback, was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the occasion.

A small hamlet named Hanna, 300 kilometers southeast of here, is where 27 years' worth of blood, sweat, and tears began, according to Kroeger, referring to the band's birthplace.

FAQs:

1. Why are they called the Juno Awards?
   Named in tribute to Pierre Juneau
2. Who has won the highest number of Juno Awards?
   Anne Murray