The Juno Awards are Canada’s biggest celebration of music, where artists who may not get their due elsewhere are honoured with a statue of their own. It’s a chance to recognize Canadian music and the talent we have in the country.
That’s why it was such an affront to Justin Bieber fans and the Canadian music industry as a whole that the 22-year-old singer didn’t show up at the Junos on Sunday night, despite the fact that he’s one of the most popular Canadian artists on the scene right now.
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Instead of attending the Junos to receive his Fan Choice Award (voted by the fans, ironically), Bieber was the opening act at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles. He opened with an acoustic set, and showed off his new hairstyle: platinum-blond dreadlocks.
Meanwhile, at the Juno Awards in Calgary, when Bieber was proclaimed the winner of the award, a pre-taped acceptance speech was played and met with loud boos from the audience. (The same thing happened at the 2014 Junos.)
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The segment included footage of Bieber inexplicably sparring in a gym, and then quickly saying thanks for the award.
“Thank you to all my fans for all your support,” he said. “You guys are awesome. I love you.”
At the iHeartRadio Music Awards, Bieber won Male Artist of the Year and his Beliebers won an award for “Best Fan Army.” He even wore a Wayne Gretzky New York Rangers jersey to the show.
Fellow Canadian artist The Weeknd won five Juno Awards on Sunday night, and he not only attended the awards ceremony, but he also performed.