TORONTO - Billy Talent, Fergie and a teary Avril Lavigne were among the music stars to take home MuchMusic Video Awards at a star-studded street party Sunday during which catty backstage remarks flew as freely as the complimentary booze and sushi.
Lavigne took the coveted honours of best international video by a Canadian and was the fan-voted favourite Canadian artist, an honour that sparked tears from the normally cocky popstar.
"All the fans just voted for me and that really means a lot, so thank you," Lavigne said as her eyes welled up, forcing her to bury her head in VJ Leah Miller's chest.
Rockers Billy Talent snagged the title for best video, the MuchLOUD best rock video, and the people's choice award for favourite Canadian group. Fergie took the title of best international video (artist) and Belly took the award for best rap video.
The music stars claimed their trophies in front of thousands of screaming fans that lined outdoor stages to catch a glimpse of celebrities including Hilary Duff, Maroon 5 and Tara Reid.
"It's madness!" Duff declared when she arrived at the annual celebfest, known for a carnival-like atmosphere.
Inside Much headquarters, "Canadian Idol" host Ben Mulroney, Liberal MP Belinda Stronach flanked by former Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi, and spurned television personality Mary Jo Eustace were among the notables to wander the halls.
Eustace, who last year was kicked out of the party after crossing paths with rival Tori Spelling, said it was nice to finally get a chance to experience the video awards.
Her date, former "What's For Dinner" co-host Ken Kostick and co-host of their current Toronto morning radio show on 103.9 Proud-FM, offered the newly divorced Eustace some tips on finding a new man.
He cheekily suggested she employ some elaborate equipment to help whip her body into dating shape.
"There are some hygiene issues - make a list," Kostick instructed.
"Number one: buy a wood chipper, number two: a Shop Vac, number three: some Noma lights, and number four, because that area hasn't been touched in a while, get out the Endust," Kostick deadpanned.
"Can you believe I put up with this guy?" said Eustace, whose husband of 12 years left her for Spelling.
Eustace said she and Kostick are drumming up plans for a comeback to Canadian television, hinting that it would be a cooking comedy show.
Out on the red carpet, fashion maven Jeanne Bekker dismissed Canada's reigning Next Top Model Andrea Muizelaar as not having the "fabric" to make it in the cut-throat fashion world.
Muizelaar recently announced that she had quit the modelling business after being blacklisted for inadvertently comparing Bekker to the fashion witch played by Meryl Streep in the film, "The Devil Wears Prada."
"She unfortunately blamed us and that's just not where it was at," Bekker said from the red carpet.
"She was presented with a golden opportunity that girls would have killed for and it's sad to say she blew it."
The live telecast kicked off in typically chaotic fashion with celebrity guests spilling out of outrageous rides on a red carpet lined by fans.
Rising rap star Belly arrived in an armoured Brinks truck with a Paris Hilton look-a-like and an entourage that tossed fake bills to the screaming throng.
Canadian rockers SUM41 bounded out of their white SUV swigging beer, with front man Deryck Whibley saying he most looked forward to seeing a performance by his wife, Lavigne.
Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton suppressed the urge to slam Lavigne, a favourite target on his catty column, but joked that Jay Manuel, the host of Canada's Top Model, favoured an especially lewd sexual act.
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List of MuchMusic Video Awards handed out Sunday in Toronto
Best Video: Billy Talent, "Fallen Leaves" (Warner Music)
Best Director: George, "Lie to me" (HC Entertainment/Fontana North)
Best Post-Production: Sam Roberts, "Bridge to Nowhere" (Secret Brain / Universal Music)
Best Cinematography: Alexisonfire, "This Could Be Anywhere in the World" (Distort Entertainment / Universal Music)
Best Pop Video: Hedley, "Gunnin" (Universal Music)
MuchLOUD Best Rock Video: Billy Talent, "Fallen Leaves" (Warner Music)
MuchVibe Best Rap Video: Belly feat. Ginuwine, "Pressure" (CP Records / Fontana North)
Best Independent Video: Cancer Bats, "French Immersion" (Distort Entertainment / Universal Music)
MuchMoreMusic Award: Nickelback, "Far Away" (Roadrunner / EMI)
Best French Video: Malajube, "Pate Filo" (Dare To Care / Outside Music)
Best International Video - Artist: Fergie, "Fergalicious" (A&M / Universal Music)
Best International Video By A Canadian: Avril Lavigne, "Girlfriend" (RCA / SonyBMG)
Best International Video - Group: My Chemical Romance, "Welcome to The Black Parade" (Warner Bros. / Warner Music)
VideoFACT: Tokyo Police Club, "Cheer It On" (Paper Bag / Universal Music)
Favourite International Group: My Chemical Romance
Favourite International Artist: Hilary Duff
Favourite Canadian Group: Billy Talent
Favourite Canadian Artist: Avril Lavigne
