Tag Archives: MuchMusic

We sleuth the back alleys for hot style at the MMVAs

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While everyone clamours to get inside MuchMusic headquarters, we have learned that the real fun during MMVAs is to join the leagues of fans who pack Queen and John. For years we hung out in the press room to get a 30 second sound byte from musicians and celebrities, but last year we made a hasty but smart decision to hit the sweaty streets and immerse ourselves in the epicentre of fan pandemonium. There is no turning back. Yes, we love the excitement of brushing shoulders with the stars but we much prefer to snap hot style pics in dark back alleyways: Real fans climb trees and camp out by garbage chutes.

Our ears ringing from the screams and feet dirty from sleuthing the gutters, we trekked home knowing that we captured the raw behind-the-scenes pandemonium and heartfelt emotion that makes the MMVAs such a unique live experience. Relive the energy, feel the heat and hear the cacophony of street level bedlam in our photo gallery below.

More MMVA Inside Scoop from Muchmusic VJ Liz Trinnear

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The MMVAs are a serious party, with tens of thousands of fans flooding Queen and John every year. We don’t know how the VJs do it, but they do, always looking great and handling celebrity encounters with grace and a sense of humour. Earlier this week we talked to Lauren Toyota about what she’s wearing to interview Katy Perry, and now VJ Liz Trinnear shares tales of smooching Justin Bieber, and the inside scoop on how to score autographs.

Tune in for the MMVA Red Carpet Special on Sunday, June 17th, at 8 pm on MuchMusic in Canada and Fuse in the US, LIVE from Much headquarters.

SDTC: Which artist/band are you most excited for this year?

LT: Katy Perry! I love Katy Perry (everyone here knows it) and I am most looking forward to seeing what she will wear and her stage set up! She always transforms a plain surface into every girl’s dreamland.

SDTC: Who do you want to interview most, and are you nervous?

LT: Kelly Osbourne (who will be presenting an award). Hello! Fashion Police. I will definitely be intimidated by her and praying I get her outfit approval. I’ve loved her since the days of The Osbournes so it will  be so cool to finally meet her (hopefully- fingers crossed)!

SDTC: What is your weirdest or fondest MMVA memory?

LT: Justin Bieber letting me kiss him on the cheek at the 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards, which was my first year. The death threats I received after that one were both hilarious and frightening. Don’t mess with Beliebers! Oh, or interviewing Lady Gaga last year after the award show. She is, to this date, one of my favourite people I have ever met. 

SDTC: MMVAS 2012 in three words….

LT: C’mon, do I only get 3… I could talk about it for days but I’d have to say: Entertaining, Ridiculously-Cool, Magical

SDTC: Who do you anticipate will make the craziest red carpet entrance?

LT: Marianas Trench. Have you seen those guys?! In the past the boys have arrived on our live Red Carpet show as ninjas, rolled down the carpet in life-sized hamster balls, marched the carpet with a live marching band, arrived in hot tubs, and more. So I expect something pretty epic this year.

SDTC: What food do you snack on to keep your energy up?

LT: Almonds! I try to snack throughout the day but keeping a bag of almonds in my purse seems to be the best trick. Lauren Toyota also always has the best snacks so I usually snack on hers. I’m also a coffee/green tea addict, so you will see me with one (or both) in my hands daily!

SDTC: What do you do to calm down after the chaos?

LT: SLEEP!!!!! I run on adrenaline for two weeks straight, working long hours and having an absolute blast doing it. After it’s all over, I want to go into hibernation for 24-48 hrs!

SDTC: Which MMVA artist do you listen to when you are getting ready to party on a Saturday night?

LT: Katy Perry! I am guilty of dancing to her music with a fake microphone in hand, in my underwear, on my bed! The secret is out….

SDTC: What will you be wearing to the awards?

A dress by Pam Chorley of Fashion Crimes.

SDTC: Any advice to the fans in the streets?

LT: Have as much fun as you possibly can. The MMVAs are so exciting and personally I think the rehearsals on Friday and Saturday before the show on Sunday gear you up for the big night! Come hang out all weekend because you never know who will come out to sign autographs. Plus you’ll get a sneak peek of their performances which is great insider information. For those who don’t get wristbands, I encourage you to still come down. The streets are open to everyone and the stage is elevated for perfect viewing no matter your size. And don’t forget to bring your party shoes; you’re going to want to dance along in the streets with everyone!

We get the MMVA inside scoop with MuchMusic VJ Lauren Toyota

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The MMVAs are almost here! This Sunday, thousands will descend on Queen and John to get in on the action; will you join the TEN THOUSAND FANS in the street or get comfy on the couch with your BFF and tune in with millions coast to coast? Katy Perry! Flo Rida! Carly Rae Jepsen! BIEBER! Who are you most excited for? MuchMusic VJ Lauren Toyota dishes who she is most excited to interview, who she expects will make the most insane red carpet entrance and shares her nutty secret weapon.

Q&A with MuchMusic VJ Lauren Toyota 

SDTC: Which artist/band are you most excited for this year?
LT: Hedley

SDTC: Who do you want to interview most, and are you nervous?
LT: Katy Perry. I am sitting down with her the Friday before the show to talk about her new 3D movie; I am not nervous, but I hope she likes me!

SDTC: GAHHH!! What will you wear?
LT: I’m wearing a sequined mini from Maxi Boutique

SDTC: What is your weirdest or fondest MMVA memory?
LT: My memory is both the weirdest and fondest. My first MMVAs was last year and when I walked out onto the red carpet, kids were screaming my name and they wanted autographs. I even signed a guy’s stomach. That was a first! It was so awesome.

SDTC: MMVAS 2012 in three words….
LT: Craziest. Party. Ever.

SDTC: Who do you anticipate will make the craziest red carpet entrance?
LT: LMFAO for sure. 100 bucks says they show up naked!

SDTC: What food do you snack on to keep your energy up?
LT: Raw almonds and coffee

SDTC: What do you do to calm down after the chaos?
LT: Sleep

SDTC: Which MMVA artist do you listen to when you are getting ready to party on a Saturday night?
LT: A playlist of all of them … duh!

SDTC: Any advice to the fans in the streets?
LT: Show your fandom, whether it’s with wearing crazy costumes, holding signs or having funny shout outs, and stay hydrated!

Red Carpet pandemonium will kick off this Sunday, June 17th, at 8pm. Performers will rock out starting at 9pm. Ooooh, we can’t wait. Check back tomorrow for our Q&A with MuchMusic VJ Liz Trinnear! Go to the MMVA site for a detailed list of performers, presenters and nominees.

MuchMusic VJ Liz Trinnear gives tips on how to be a VJ and tells us why Ashley Tisdale is the bomb.

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Is being a MuchMusic VJ your dream job? Much VJ Liz Trinnear gives you some tips, dishes which celebrity she’d most want as a BFF and shares with us what she was like back in high school and why being fifteen isn’t easy. Liz, you are so rad.

When you were in grade ten, what did you think you would be, or what did you want to be, when you grew up?

Funny you should ask that! When I was in the 10th grade I told my teachers I was either going to be a MuchMusic VJ or an architect. If you ask any of my high school teachers they will totally vouch for my dreams of being a Much VJ (it even says it in my yearbook!) I still dream of designing homes but I think I’m more cut out for the media industry.

What is your best advice for someone who wants to be an on-air personality? Or a VJ at Much?

Over the past 2 years I have learned more about the television industry than I ever could have imagined and if I were to give one piece of advice it would be, never give up. Things can change so fast, doors may close but if you do your best and keep trying, things will happen and more doors will open. It’s also important to be yourself. It’s easy to lose that but at the end of the day you are you and it’s important to remember that!

Practical advice: get out there, volunteer, search for new opportunities, soak up all the experiences you can and build your resume! Before working at MuchMusic I used to post band posters outside of venues and do street teamwork. I also had my own radio show on the university radio station (CHRW 94.9) and interned at a music licensing company: Vapor Music. The more experience you have, the better!

Of all your interviews with celebs, who would you most want as a best friend?

If I could be best friends with one celebrity I have interviewed, I would have to choose Ashley Tisdale. She was extremely grounded, funny and has a go-getter personality. I feel she and I have very similar outlooks on life and she’s a total sweetheart! Plus I love a lot of her outfits and accessories and we all know you and your best friend swap those kind of things all the time!

If you could go back in time and whisper advice to your fifteen year old self, what would you say?

Love me for me. Being 15 is hard and I remember thinking I was the most awkward person ever: looks, personality, style, but now looking back on it, I wouldn’t take that back for the world. I’m not awkward, I was just growing and we all go through the transitions. I also would tell myself that bullies won’t matter after high school. Eventually you will realize they are just unhappy with themselves and it has nothing to do with you.

What was your favourite subject in high school and why?

Easy: DRAMA! I loved drama class because it was one of the places that helped me be comfortable in my own skin. Drama class built my confidence, and allowed me to express my emotions. My teacher Ms. Weiss was the greatest person at helping me become who I am today. I loved theatre and acting and still do. I still use some of the skills I learned in high school when I’m on air.

What is your favourite healthy snack when you need some energy?

I’m a sucker for Greek yogurt, fresh berries and granola! I also love vegetables, pita and hummus, it’s really delicious and fulfilling.

Yep, Liz is the coolest! Enter our TEEN DREAM contest for a chance for you and a BFF to have a meet and greet with Liz. Plus, so much more… check it out!