Avril Lavigne confronts topless protester at award show

Avril Lavigne smoothly handled a topless protester who stormed an awards show in Canada by telling the woman to “get the f*** off” the stage.

A protester interrupts Avril Lavigne speaking onstage at the 2023 Juno Awards. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

Avril Lavigne smoothly handled a topless protester who stormed an awards show in Canada by telling the woman to “get the f*** off” the stage.

The singer had been introducing performer AP Dhillon during the 2023 Juno Awards when the woman crashed the stage with a message written on her back that said: “SAVE THE GREEN BELT” - a reference to a controversial development plan by the Ontario government, Page Six reported.

Initially, Lavigne ignored the protester but then turned around and swatted at her chest as she said, “Get the f*** off,” and added one more time, “Get the f*** off, b****.”

A protester interrupts Avril Lavigne speaking onstage at the 2023 Juno Awards. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

The singer made her feelings known after the woman stormed the stage (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

A male security guard then escorted the woman off the stage. It wasn’t made immediately clear if she was kicked out of the venue entirely.

The evening’s host, Marvel star Simu Liu, later complimented the punk rocker for “handling that topless lady like a champion”.

Lavigne, 38, later accepted the TikTok Juno Fan Choice Award and referenced the earlier commotion during her speech.

“Now nobody try anything this time. I’ll f*** a b**** up,” the singer joked.

A rep for the Juno Awards didn’t immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.

Despite being honoured that evening, Lavigne’s new beau, Tyga, did not attend the award show with the singer.

The protester was eventually escorted from the stage (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

The pair prompted romance rumours while popping up at the same Paris Fashion Week events, and decided to confirm their relationship with a kiss at the end of their trip.

Lavigne recently called off her engagement to fellow musician Mod Sun, who had proposed to the singer in Paris.

The 52nd Annual Juno Awards took place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, where The Weeknd took home five awards and Nickelback was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

This story was originally published by Page Six and was reproduced with permission