The 2025 Juno Awards, hosted by Canadian crooner Michael Bublé, took place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Sunday night. The ceremony featured plenty of excitement, musical diversity and of course, many moments of Canadian patriotism.
Here are the best moments from the ceremony for those who missed it.
1. Michael Bublé and friends kicked off the night with a strangely effective performance
Have you ever wondered what Michael Bublé’s music might sound like if it was remixed with hip hop and Indian pop music and simultaneously reinterpreted into various languages? Neither have I!
But apparently it works. Bublé opened the night in his hometown with a medley of hits alongside Toronto rap icon Maestro Fresh West, Inuk singer Elisapie, pop artist and Bollywood playback singer Jonita and Quebec musician Roxane Bruneau. Again, a bit of a random concept. But if the Junos are about celebrating the stylistic and linguistic diversity of Canadian music, then this was a successful moment, one that set the tone for the rest of the evening.
2. Canadian patriotism was on full display
Given the recent surge in Canadian pride in the wake of an ongoing trade war sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump, it was no surprise to see plenty of red-and-white flags on display and other expressions of nationalism during the ceremony on Sunday.
“I’m a hometown kid who never left,” Bublé said during his opening monologue. “I’m proud to be Canadian,” he added, before paraphrasing … former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama. “I’m proud that when they go low, we get high — we go high,” he quipped. “It’s kind of the same thing.”
“We are the greatest nation on Earth, and we are not for sale,” he added, making reference to Trump’s threats to annex Canada.
Later in the evening, legendary east coast singer Anne Murray, who holds the record for the most Juno wins ever, accepted a lifetime achievement award wearing a sequined red hockey jersey with “Canada” emblazoned across the front. During her speech, Murray reflected on the pressure she felt early in her career to move to the U.S. “I knew instinctively I needed a place to go, to escape when my work was done. Canada is my safe haven. My safety blanket. My light at the end of the tunnel — it still is.”
Josh Ross, who won the Juno for country album of the year for his album “Complicated,” also chimed in: “I think it’s time to get back to our Canadian roots and remember that friends are better than enemies,” he said from the stage.
3. Sum 41 said goodbye
Nearly 30 years after the band formed in Ajax, Ont., Sum 41 used the Junos stage for what they say will be their last live performance ever. The pop-punk legends went out with a medley of their greatest hits including “Landmines,” “Fat Lip,” “Still Waiting” and “In Too Deep.”
Prior to the performance, the band was officially inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame following an introduction from Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, and a video tribute featuring clips from Elvis Costello and Iggy Pop.
Vocalist Deryck Whibley, who led the band through its chaotic early days and subsequent ups-and-downs, reflected on the band’s career and legacy in a short speech: “All the struggles had made all the successes feel that much greater,” he said. “We’re proud of this journey, it’s been exciting, it’s been dangerous, but most of all, it’s been honest.”
4. Bbno$ shook things up — while dressed as a toilet
Vancouver-born rapper bbno$ — pronounced “baby no money” — proved his internet bona fides by showing up on the red carpet dressed as a toilet, in an apparent reference to the viral meme ”Skibidi Toilet.” (Don’t ask me, ask your children.)
Later in the evening, the artist, who is known for his plucky, humorous tracks, took home the Juno for the fan choice award, beating out the Weeknd, Josh Ross, Tate McRae and Shawn Mendes. During his acceptance speech, with toilet paper still wrapped around his arms, he had some choice words for a certain American billionaire: “Elon Musk is a piece of garbage.”
5. Indigenous music showcase with high energy performance
Hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids performed a medley of hits alongside up-and-coming Cree R&B singer Tia Wood, and a troupe of dancers wearing traditional Indigenous clothing. One of the most exciting and dynamic performances of the night, it also contained a political element: in the backdrop, there was a handwritten sign that read “Say Their Names” —a reference to a movement and a call to action to remember and honour the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
6. Nemahsis stepped into the spotlight
A night after winning the Juno for alternative album of the year for her debut LP “Verbathim,” Toronto-based singer Nemahsis took the stage for a rousing rendition of her hit single “Stick of Gum.”
Nemahsis also won the Juno for breakthrough artist of the year. The performance felt like a victory lap for the Palestinian-Canadian singer who told her fans on social media that in October 2023 she had been dropped from her (unnamed) label ”for being pro-Palestine.” Nemahsis released her debut album as an independent artist, without a label.
“This is dedicated to all the hijabis,” she said after accepting the award. “Ive been wearing a hijab for 20+ years and all I ever wanted was to turn on Family Channel or YTV and see someone who looks like me. I didn’t think it would take this long and I didn’t think I would be the one to do it, but I’m happy it got to this as a fully independent Palestinian-Canadian Muslim woman.”
7. Tate McRae wins a boatload of Junos in absentia
Apparently, Tate McRae is too big for the Junos. The Calgary pop singer, whose third album “So Close to What” landed her a recent spot on “Saturday Night Live,” was the most-nominated artist at this year’s Junos. She ended up winning four — single of the year, album of the year, artist of the year and pop album of the year — but was not in attendance. Bummer!
Sunday night winners
Here is a full list of the artists who took home major Juno awards at the Sunday ceremony:
Group of the year: The Beaches
Country album of the year: “Complicated” by Josh Ross
Breakthrough artist or group of the year: Nemahsis
TikTok Juno Fan Choice: bbno$
Lifetime achievement award: Anne Murray
International achievement award: Boi-1da
Canadian Music Hall of Fame: Sum 41
For a look at some of the winners from the pre-telecast on Saturday, click here.
