Shawn Mendes pocketed four awards and stole the hearts of countless screaming teenagers at the iHeartRadio MMVAs on Sunday.
The Pickering, Ont.-raised singer was the recurring star of the Toronto street party. He opened and closed the show with performances of his songs 91ƵLost in Japan91Ƶ and 91ƵIn My Blood,91Ƶ but also turned up several more times to dish out love to his Canadian fans.
91ƵThis is home,91Ƶ he said while clutching the MMVA for artist of the year.
91ƵThis means the absolute world to me.91Ƶ
The pop singer picked up three other MMVAs, best pop artist and two awards voted by viewers 91Ƶ fan fave artist and video.
He also slipped onto the stage to accept one that wasn91Ƶt his own
Mendes left the crowd screaming with delight after he revealed himself underneath the disguise of another musical star, electronic producer Marshmello. The mysterious Top 40 DJ has maintained his anonymity for years, so seeing Mendes mugging in the costume was a total shock.
91ƵWoah, what happened there?91Ƶ the international star jokingly exclaimed as he dove into a fake acceptance speech.
Mendes didn91Ƶt have to trek too far to accept his armload of awards. He recently bought a condo in downtown Toronto, which he said made it easy to show up in the heart of the city.
91ƵI live around the corner,91Ƶ he said on the red carpet before the show.
91ƵI was at my house 30 minutes ago. It91Ƶs really cool to be home one minute and hanging out with your friends, and the next minute being here.
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The MMVAs were packed with plenty of other star power, including Australian act 5 Seconds of Summer, Chinese singer Kris Wu and 1990s boy band 98 Degrees who all performed.
Host Awkwafina opened the show dressed in striped pyjamas as she charged into a spirited monologue that proved she hasn91Ƶt changed much, despite starring in 91ƵCrazy Rich Asians,91Ƶ which sits atop the North American box-office for a second week.
91ƵI91Ƶm still that girl with the voice of a pro-wrestler and the body of a Pikachu,91Ƶ the vibrant YouTube rapper told the crowd.
But she also wanted to clarify one thing for viewers who might be seeing her on TV for the first time.
91ƵI am not Sandra Oh, all right?91Ƶ she said, referring to the Ottawa-born actress who91Ƶs Emmy-nominated for her turn in 91ƵKilling Eve.91Ƶ
91ƵThat91Ƶs another Asian woman 91Ƶ and she91Ƶs great.91Ƶ
Meghan Trainor delivered a mash-up of her new song 91ƵNo Excuses91Ƶ alongside other fan favourites that included the Top 40 hit 91ƵMe Too.91Ƶ
Model and TV host Tyra Banks showered Trainor with compliments after the performance.
91ƵWhat I love about Meghan Trainor is she keeps it beautiful and she keeps it real,91Ƶ Banks said. The two shared a moment earlier on the red carpet where they expressed their mutual admiration for each other.
Other awards handed out on the broadcast included song of the summer, which went to Canadian DJ duo Loud Luxury for 91ƵBody,91Ƶ a hit that91Ƶs been spun frequently on radio stations nationwide in recent months.
Best collaboration was awarded to Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line for 91ƵMeant To Be,91Ƶ a rare cross-over hit for country and pop music. Rexha raced onto the stage, threw her head back and let out a hearty scream.
Alessia Cara accepted the video of the year award for 91Ƶ1-800-273-825591Ƶ a suicide prevention anthem by Logic. The Brampton, Ont.-based pop singer lent vocals to the song alongside R&B singer Khalid.
91ƵI91Ƶm accepting this but this is not my award 91Ƶ this is Logic91Ƶs award,91Ƶ Cara said, acknowledging the absent rapper. She also gave a shoutout to the music video91Ƶs director Andy Hines, who is from Nova Scotia.
Aside from the accolades, a number of stars also used their platform to talk about acceptance and activism.
Viral pop singer Halsey appeared on the red carpet pre-show to receive the 91Ƶartist for change91Ƶ award. She used the opportunity to address why she often talks about mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
91ƵI think if you end up with a platform, you need to use that platform to uplift the people that gave you that platform to begin with,91Ƶ she said.
Michael Jackson91Ƶs son Prince, who was a presenter, urged the audience to consider the power of their own voice, and to get behind causes that matter to them, such as education reform and ending homelessness.
91ƵYou91Ƶre never too young to speak out and stand up,91Ƶ he said.
David Friend, The Canadian Press
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