Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
As a child, Mae Martin loved to watch the Juno Awards. When Martin grew up and became an acclaimed Canadian comedian, they made sure to talk to Junos staff about becoming involved in the music award show.
“I was begging to host it,” Martin tells Q guest host Talia Schlanger. “It wasn’t a case of them reaching out to me. It was truly me campaigning.”
This Sunday, Martin gets their wish: they will host the 2026 Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ont.
“Now I really have to try and do a good job because that would be awful if I then choked,” Martin jokes.
WATCH | Full interview with Mae Martin:
Martin hosted the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, so they have practice in this arena. Plus, they’ve done stand-up on stage for years, including their special SAP. They’re also a musician; last year, they released their debut album, I’m A TV.
But they’re still looking to some of their favourite hosts for inspiration, such as Billy Crystal hosting the Oscars in the early aughts or Nikki Glaser hosting the Golden Globes in recent years.
“I like people who aren’t too mean spirited, but also aren’t afraid to take risks,” Martin says of their hosting style. “I am not a roasty human being because I don’t want to incur any roasts directed at me, but absolutely, of course, I’ve got to throw some shots.”
In terms of what Martin is planning to bring to their Junos hosting gig, they say: “I want it to feel like a party. It’s live and there’s going to be amazing live performances, so I hope it doesn’t feel like a stilted awards show atmosphere. I hope people are loose and relaxed and proud of Canada.”
The full interview with Mae Martin is available on our YouTube channel and on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts.
On March 29, music fans can watch the 55th annual Juno Awards live from Hamilton. The show will air live across Canada at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC-TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and viewers stream globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and on CBC Music’s YouTube channel. It will be presented with described video and closed captioning, and there will also be an American Sign Language (ASL) version.
Interview with Mae Martin produced by Vanessa Nigro.
