CROWD-PLEASER
Pop stars light up the red carpet at Much Music Video Awards
Singer Niall Horan (formerly of One Direction) was both a fan favourite and an award winner at the iHeartRadio Canada MuchMusic Video Awards on Sunday. One fan’s sign read: “I’d drive highways and byways to be here with you Niall.”
Despite threats of rain and a thunderstorm, thousands of music fans flooded Toronto’s Queen St. W., Sunday night hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the biggest names in entertainment. Joe Jonas of DNCE and Brampton R&B star Alessia Cara hosted the iHeartRadio Canada MuchMusic Video Awards, also known as the MMVAs, which took over the entire block. Presenters included actress Tatiana Maslany, singer Carly Rae Jepsen and YouTube star Tyler Oakley.
Fans lined up for hours to score spots on the red carpet. Sharissa Wilkinson,19, and Monika Mrula,18, said they got in line at noon. “It’s such a fun thing to watch,” Wilkinson said. “We grew up watching it.”
Deniz Ruscuku,16, who was visiting her brother Janberk Ruscuklu, 27, from Turkey said they saw the stage being set up and decided to attend.
“She told me it’s the highlight of her trip,” Janberk said. “She’s super excited.”
A number of Canadians took home awards. Kevan Funk, director of “Stadium Pow Wow” by A Tribe Called Red f. Black Bear, won best director, Grimes won Best EDM/ Dance Video, Pickering’s Shawn Mendes won best Pop Video and the Tragically Hip won the award for Best Rock/Alternative Video for “In A World Possessed By The Human Mind.”
Lorde, who won International Artist of the Year, thanked her Canadian fans during her acceptance speech.
“Canada was one of the first places to go ‘Hey, we like this little weirdo.’ So thank you,” she said. “I want to say how grateful I am to everyone who waited for this record.”
The show, which featured 10 performances from artists including Lorde, Imagine Dragons and Iggy Azalea, has developed a reputation as a big, lively party backstage.
Before the show even began, stars took to the red carpet, which American actress Keke Palmer praised for its accessibility to fans.
“It’s so awesome,” she said. “Aside from the Kids’ Choice Awards, no show is so involved with the fans.”
The crowd appeared most excited by the arrival of a British star, former member of One Direction, Niall Horan. The singer, who took home the Fan Fave International Artist or Group Award, stopped to take selfies as fans chanted his name.
One fan held up a sign reading: “I’d drive highways and byways to be here with you Niall.”