Justin Bieber booed at the 2016 Juno Awards
Juice factor: 8/10
Just when it seemed like Canadian awards shows were finally being attended by stars who’ve made it big, the Juno Awards came along to make us feel a little silly about our overestimated importance. Justin Bieber picked up two awards at the 2016 Junos without even being there and, embarrassingly enough, one was for Fan Choice Award. While he may have hit the red carpet and sung his little heart out at the Grammys earlier this year, it’s obvious the fallen pop star is more concerned that it might be too late to say sorry to his American fan base and less concerned about pleasing his Canadian fans. In lieu of an acceptance speech, he sent this strange “thank you” video, which looks more like he begrudgingly interrupted his boxing workout to wave at an iPhone, like an emotionally-challenged preteen. Maybe the Biebs thought his sweaty biceps were thanks enough, but the Junior Lightweight category just doesn’t do it for most people. Meanwhile, Oscar-nominated and Grammy award winner The Weeknd still found time to fly to Calgary to pick up his five Junos, despite his notorious low-profile. But just because Justin doesn’t have time for the Junos doesn’t mean he’s actually too busy for awards shows. The Biebs spent Sunday night in Los Angeles opening for the iHeartRadio Awards 2016. Biebs performed “Love Yourself,” which makes perfect sense.
Blind item: Toronto club owner fails miserably at the 2016 Juno Awards
Juice factor: 10/10
This hot-shot club owner and self-proclaimed influencer figured he’d rock the party that rocked the party at the 2016 Juno Awards by hosting a pop-up nightlife hot-spot during the awards show weekend. How hard could it be to be the ultimate velvet-rope VIP destination for Canadian stars and their entourage when Calgary’s playing host? As it turns out, it’s a lot more complicated than just offering bottle service and dimming the lights. Nevertheless, said club owner arrived on scene expecting his establishment’s name and his personal knack for the nightlife to draw the who’s who of the Juno weekend to his venue, making a tightly enforced guest list necessary to ensure the exclusive vibe of his pop-up soiree. The guest list, however, got less action than a Moxy Fruvous reunion concert. Aside from a couple of eTalk hosts and a YouTube star whom he paid–yes, paid–to be there, the club’s so-called renowned reputation was unable to draw even a minor Canadian star or person of moderate influence. If our scorned club owner thought his party could rival the one that was taking place simultaneously at Mission, hosted by E-One Music, he was delusionally mistaken. To add shame to the embarrassment, the club owner–when ready and willing to give up on his own party–didn’t even score an invite to the exclusive Universal Music Party and had to rely on his paid celebrity host to get him past the doorman. Better luck in Toronto, bud.
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Gwen avoids Miranda but gets the thumbs up from Blake’s friends
Juice factor: 7/10
If you tuned into the ACM Awards to catch a glimpse of the randomness of Dolly Parton and Katy Perry’s duet, the California girl who kissed a girl wasn’t the only West Coast pop star oddity hanging at the country music awards. Orange County poster girl and the queen of ska, Gwen Stefani, has been making a habit of hanging on beau Blake Shelton’s turf, and while she avoided making a red carpet appearance with her man (perhaps to avoid his ex-wife Miranda Lambert, who is the subject of one of Gwen’s not-so kind but oh-so pretty new songs), she was there in all her blonde bombshell glory at the after-party, rocking a bedazzled sheer mini-dress amid the cowboy hats and belt buckles. Blake’s country crooner bud Brett Eldredge posted a pic from the post-awards show celebrations to Instagram.”Last night’s party was amazing…” he captioned the photo.”@blakeshelton had to bring a hot date and show us all up…” Gwen has definitely won over Blake’s country posse. Fingers crossed she’ll replace Katy when it comes to sharing the stage with Dolly next.
Blind item: Toronto media darling with a daring side job
Juice factor: 10/10
This Toronto media darling gives the impression that she’s maybe just a bit coy–socializing with the who’s who but keeping it low-key and casual at the same time whenever on the party scene. Never mugging for the limelight the way media types often do at VIP soirees, she tends to enjoy the show rather than make a spectacle of herself–at least at press parties, that is. It turns out that this understated and low-key party girl works it red light district style by night and is better known for what she doesn’t wear than what she dons on the red carpet. Although working as a stripper wasn’t exactly her long-term plan, she’s had trouble saying no to the extra cash after getting her start on the stage simply to supplement her income when she was a new kid on the block. She’s kept her night job off-the-radar to most–only confiding in close friends about her side gig–but all it takes is one lap dance to a familiar face to pull the sheets off her secret.
Jon Snow caught holding hands in Heathrow
Juice factor: 7/10
We imagine even Kit Harington couldn’t have predicted the world’s ongoing obsession with the Game of Thrones actor, even after his character met an untimely death, much to the dismay of George RR Martin enthusiasts who can generally handle a Red Wedding or two without too much emotional distress. Despite his demise on the show, Jon Snow sightings are to Instagram what the endangered white owls are to bird watchers: a heart-melting rarity to behold… unless, of course, Kit is photographed looking happy and in love. Heathrow Airport visitor, @thekirbyn, noticed Kit and his beau Rose Leslie holding hands, unwittingly showing off their togetherness. He posted the photographic evidence to Instagram with the caption: “You know nothing Jon Snow. Yes, it’s the Wildling and Jon Snow. Yes, they were holding hands #wow #gameofthrones #kirbyn.” For all of you out there delusional enough to assume this puts a damper on your plans to couple up with Kit, worry not–spring fever might be upon us, but if Game of Thrones has taught us anything, it’s that winter is always coming.
Blind Item: Iconic Canadian fashion brand in dire straights
Juice factor: 9/10
This Canadian fashion brand isn’t exactly the Hudson’s Bay Company when it comes to being “a part of our heritage,” but it’s relatively historic given its long-lifespan on the backs of iconic Canadian and American stars who’ve made a point of donning the unique label. With proudly Canadian roots, it’s one of the few fashion brands that made a name for itself and its brand story south of the border during the pre-DSquared2 era. That said, ongoing poor management has left the company’s future in limbo with the powers that be uncertain about how to regenerate the brand without major financial troubles. Will this brand go belly up? Only time will tell.
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What had your blood boiling and your mouths gasping from this week’s Scene & Heard column? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us at @ViewtheVibe.
