Michael Bublé bubbling with Canadian pride about hosting the 2025 Juno Awards in Vancouver
The multiple Juno-winning host says he is overjoyed to be hosting the ceremony for the third time.
Michael Bublé is known for having a quick wit. But in a pre-awards press conference at Rogers Arena on Friday morning, the Burnaby crooner got serious about Canadian pride.
Asked whether this year’s awards are somehow more important due to the political tensions between Canada and the United States, he stressed the importance of art in bridging borders and how important the country’s diverse and talented artists are to defining our national identity and reinforcing sovereignty.
The singer went on to note how important being Canadian is to his global brand and how key the Junos have been to establishing it.
“The thing I love about this show, and the reason I said yes so quickly when asked about hosting, is because I love this country so damn much,” he said. “The Junos were a huge springboard for me and I’ve watched it be a springboard for my fellow Canadians who have gone on to take Canadian culture and grow it all over the planet and put us on the map.”
The only condition that Bublé placed on his participation was that the broadcast reflected the Canada he grew up in and that his children are growing up in. He set a condition for Canadian talent in all of its diversity to be reflected at the 2025 Juno Awards. He teased that his opening will be stacked with the artists he chose to appear for a grand spectacle.
“Not because we are supposed to be, not because we are woke, or an executive or sponsor tells us to, but because it’s who we are and that’s why I love the country so much,” he said. “I play ball hockey in my basement, a little white guy with a bunch of guys in turbans, some Korean friends and a buddy from Denmark and all these amazing people that are so unique, different, special and Canadian that make our culture. That goes for music too, because it’s such wonderful representation of different genres.”
As Bublé chatted, Rogers Arena resonated with rehearsals for artists appearing on Sunday night’s broadcast.
Toronto R&B singer Aqyila, winner of the 2024 Juno for traditional R&B/Soul recording of the year, rehearsed her performance for the awards broadcast. As crews double-checked everything from lighting angles to blocking, she reflected on how exciting it was to be back at the awards for another round and sympathy for the staff who were going to have to clean up the results of the confetti cannon test.
“My dancers and I are just giddy and very proud to be here again for what looks a great show,” she said. “I totally feel that people sometimes sleep on Canada, and I think that there is so much talent here to be recognized.”
