BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Breaking Idol, a CBC documentary

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Breaking Idol, a CBC documentary

Author: Kristi Lee | Canadian True Crime November 24, 2025 Duration: 4:15

For years, J.B.’s identity was hidden behind publication ban.

Now, she steps forward in her own name to share her story of survival and resilience.


We're thrilled to announce the release of Breaking Idol, a powerful new documentary from CBC about "J.B.” — a survivor at the centre of the first sexual assault trial of Jacob Hoggard.


J.B.’s case against the former Canadian Idol finalist and frontman of the multi-platinum band Hedley, captivated the country and divided fans of all ages. 


Based on part on Canadian True Crime's series about that 2022 trial, Breaking Idol explores the collision of fandom, power, and truth, and follows J.B. as she confronts the aftermath of the trial and the culture that protected the man who assaulted her. 

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Stream Breaking Idol now on CBC Gem and YouTube

Currently available only in Canada, sorry.

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Media clips to come on Canadian True Crime Facebook and Instagram


Director Tiffany Hsiung

Supervising Producer Sally Karam

Produced by Frantic Films for CBC’s The Passionate Eye


Consulting Producer Kristi Lee

Special thanks to J.B. and Kelly Favro, Beyond The Verdict


Breaking Idol is based in part on Canadian True Crime’s podcast series The Trial of Hedley’s Jacob Hoggard 


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Canadian True Crime is a podcast that explores the nation's most compelling criminal cases, hosted by Kristi Lee. This isn't just a recounting of facts; it's an immersive deep dive that moves from the snowy streets of small towns to the darker corners of major cities. With meticulous research and a trauma-informed perspective, Kristi goes beyond the sensational headlines. Each episode weaves together the intricate details of a case with the broader social and historical forces at play, aiming to unravel not only what happened but why it happened and the profound impact on those affected. Listeners will hear a thoughtful, detailed examination of true crime that respects the gravity of the subject matter while seeking a deeper understanding of the stories that have shaped communities across the country. The podcast provides a narrative journey that is both specific in its focus on Canadian cases and universal in its exploration of human nature and societal structures. By focusing on thorough research and contextual storytelling, Canadian True Crime offers a listening experience that is engaging, respectful, and consistently compelling for anyone interested in the complexities of real-life mysteries and the Canadian context from which they emerge.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Canadian True Crime
Podcast Episodes
The Lake Family Murders [1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:36
A two-part series — One snowy night, a young family fell victim to a terrible accident…. or so it seemed. What really happened to this family - and why - would become fodder for national and international headlines that…
Kelly Favro's Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:10
We've received such a great response from the Kelly Favro series, and we couldn't have done it without you!In this update, we hear from Kelly Favro herself about how the petition is going and what to expect next.Contact…
Kelly Favro's Story [2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:12
[Part 2 of 2] Kelly Favro learns she is not alone. Along the way, she meets other sexual assault survivors who also discovered publication bans had been put on their names without their consent - including Jade Neilson a…
Kelly Favro's Story [1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:24
A two-part series — We explore Kelly Favro's harrowing journey from surviving a two-hour sexual assault to becoming the first person in British Columbia to have a publication ban removed from her name - by herself.Specia…
The Rallo Family Murders [2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:21
[Part 2 of 2] The trial of Jon Rallo continues. Jon testifies in his own defence, but the crown would present evidence that suggested a very different version of events. What really happened to Sandra, Jason and Stephani…
The Rallo Family Murders [1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:31
A two-part series — In the summer of 1976, the Rallo family appeared to be living the picture perfect family life in the “Golden Horseshoe” area of Southern Ontario.Parents Jon and Sandra with young children Jason and St…
The Renfrew County Massacre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:54
The story of the worst-ever case of intimate-partner violence in Ontario—and one of the worst in Canadian history. In 2015, the lives of three women - Nathalie Warmerdam, Anastasia Kuzyk and Carol Culleton - were snuffed…
The Mad Trapper of Rat River [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:09
A six week manhunt for a mysterious fugitive who seemed to have superhuman abilities, set against the icy backdrop of the Arctic North in winter. The remarkable search party included RCMP, Indigenous trackers, fur trappe…
Pausing to regroup: sincere apologies from Kristi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:16
Please note: it's just for a month - we'll be back with a new episode on February 15.Hi everyone - Kristi here. It's never my preference to miss a publication date, but with sincere apologies, it's become apparent that w…

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