Avril Lavigne confronts topless protestor onstage at 2023 Juno Awards

2023 JUNO Awards - Show
2023 JUNO Awards - Show / Dale MacMillan/GettyImages

Avril Lavigne's onstage appearance at the 2023 Juno Awards got a little complicated.

As the What the Hell singer hit the stage to introduce a performance by AP Dhillon during the ceremony on March 13, a topless woman—whose body appeared covered in messages including Save the Green Belt —appeared right behind her.

And though the 38-year-old did her best to continue her speech, she drew a round of applause when she turned to the protestor and told her to "Get the f--k off, bitch." (Security also appeared onstage to help escort the protester off at that moment).

According to CTV News, the protestor's messages seemed to reference a housing development plan recently rolled out by the government in Ontario.

After winning the Fan Choice Award later in the evening (which serves as her fourth overall), Avril also delivered a quip about being the only one onstage at the moment.