Bieber and McRae are the most nominated Canadian artists at this year’s ceremony, while The Weeknd could surpass Anne Murray’s record of 24 trophies if he wins three of his five nominations.
Some of Canada’s biggest stars reportedly won’t be attending this year’s Juno Awards.
According to the Toronto Star, Justin Bieber, Tate McRae and The Weeknd will be no-shows at the biggest night in Canadian music, hosted at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum on March 29.
It was only last July that Bieber surprise-dropped his latest album, Swag. It quickly went to No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, garnering hits like “Daisies” and “Yukon.” Next month, he’s set to headline Coachella, reportedly becoming the highest-paying act in the festival’s history.
advertisement
The singer virtually performed at the Junos in 2021 for the 50th anniversary. Before that, he last graced the Canadian music ceremony stage in 2010.
Notably, he performed at this year's Grammys with a stripped-down performance that stole the show.
In 2025, McRae further cemented herself as a pop it-girl, releasing her first No. 1 album in Canada, So Close to What, in February. She embarked on a global trek that earned nearly $111 million, and multiple stops in her home country. McRae ended the year with So Close to What‘s deluxe edition, which brought the album back to No. 2 in Canada. Not to mention, earning her first-ever Grammy nomination for F1: The Movie’s "Just Keeping Watching."
She won big awards at the Junos in 2024 and 2025, but only last appeared at the ceremony in 2023. It’s a notable absence from McRae, garnered negative reactions for an ad supporting the U.S. Olympics team, leading the Calgary singer to post a childhood photo of her holding a Canadian flag, with the comment: “Y’all know I’m Canada down.” It became a viral meme.
Notably, Scarborough’s The Weeknd won’t be present to find out if he breaks Anne Murray’s record for the most Junos ever. If he wins three of his five nominations, it would surpass his 22 awards beyond the Canadian icon’s 24 trophies.
advertisement
Over the last decade, the industry award show has had trouble getting the a-listers to show up for the honour.
“Everybody’s there in the beginning (of their careers), whether it’s the Weeknd, Bieber or Tate. Shawn [Mendes] was there for multiple shows off the top,” Allan Reid, president and CEO of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), which runs the Junos, tells the Star. “But then later on, it can be harder as they become more in-demand globally.”
Still, many Canadian stars will take the stage at this year’s ceremony.
In a rare TV appearance, Joni Mitchell is set to accept a lifetime achievement award, and Nelly Furtado is being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with a tribute performance by Alessia Cara, Shawn Desman and other Canadian talent. Daniel Caesar will take the stage to perform and receive the international achievement award.
There will also be performances by The Beaches, Arkells, country singer Cameron Whitcomb, Indigenous roots artist William Prince and more. It's a notable year for the Junos, which introduced the Latin music recording of the year award for this year's ceremony.
