Nelly Furtado Given The Reins For Juno Awards

01/16/07 5:00pm

by Josh Finkelman (CHARTattack)

Following in the footsteps of Baywatch babe and home movie starlet Pamela Anderson is no easy feat. However, that's exactly what Canadian singer/songwriter and pop sensation Nelly Furtado is going to attempt on April 1 when she hosts the 36th annual Juno Awards.

Furtado, one of Canada's most successful musical exports, isn't the first high-profile Canadian female singer to host the show. Alanis Morissette had the honour in 2004 and Shania Twain oversaw things in 2003. Furtado is no stranger to awards shows, having previously garnered five Junos and 13 nominations. She won a Grammy for her breakout hit "I'm Like A Bird" from her Whoa, Nelly! debut album and was named best pop/rock artist at the 2006 World Music Awards.

According to Susanne Boyce, CTV's programming president and chair of the CTV Media Group, choosing Furtado was a no-brainer.

"With her continued worldwide success, she is the perfect host for an awards broadcast that continues to gain prestige on the international stage."

The 28 year old is trying to branch out from her musical career with guest spots on upcoming episodes of CSI: NY and the daytime drama, One Life To Live. The CSI: NY episode, in which she plays a shoplifter accused of murder, will air on Feb. 7. The Junos will be broadcast live on CTV from the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon. The nominees will be announced on Feb. 6 and the show's performers should be revealed shortly after that.