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
Robert Pickton: The Final Chapter [3] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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[Part 3 of 4] One night, a woman living on the Pickton farm witnesses an act so disturbing it prompts repeated warnings to police. A search warrant should have followed, but through another cascade of devastating missed…
Robert Pickton: The Final Chapter [2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:29
[Part 2 of 4] The Pickton brothers become officially wealthy, and open the infamous party venue known as Piggy’s Palace. There’s an alarming spike in vulnerable women vanishing from the Downtown Eastside - but two would…
Robert Pickton: The Final Chapter [1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:28
A brand new four-part series. In 2024, Canada’s most prolific serial killer was murdered in prison in an act of vigilante justice. The final chapter of Robert Pickton may now be closed, but the story is far from over. Pi…
Behind the scenes with Kathleen Goldhar from Crime Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:45
Today, we're pleased to share a special episode from another podcast we think you'll enjoy: Crime Story from CBC Podcasts. Each week, award-winning investigative journalist Kathleen Goldhar goes deep into a true crime ca…
The Wells Gray Park Murders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:55
In August 1982, three generations of a family set out for a two week camping trip in the wilds of British Columbia.When the entire family failed to return home, it triggered the most expensive and publicized manhunt in C…
Lilly and Jack Sullivan: Cutting through the noise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:53
Today, we dive into the high-profile, baffling disappearance of six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother Jack, who vanished from their rural Nova Scotia home in May 2025.Kristi is joined by Jordan Bonapa…
The Murder of Christine Jessop [2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:11
[Part 2 of 2] A decade after the brutal murder of Christine Jessop, a DNA breakthrough completely clears Guy Paul Morin. But it would be another 25 years before the real killer is revealed.In this two-part series, we sha…
The Murder of Christine Jessop [1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:12
[Part 1 of 2] The brutal murder of nine-year-old Christine Jessop in 1984 shattered her family’s tiny Ontario community. When police arrested her quiet neighbour Guy Paul Morin, the case spiralled into a circus of trials…
Beverley Rowbotham's Family Speaks Out: 25 Years Later [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:50
In this special update episode we’re joined by Beverley’s sister Barb Kilpatrick and niece Melanie to mark a milestone in one of the most high-profile cases the province has seen, reflect on the impact, and share new det…
Analyzing the Hockey Canada trial [5] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:57
[Part 5 of 5] This final instalment wraps up our coverage and analysis of the Hockey Canada scandal and trial. At the end, Kristi shares her personal opinion about what likely happened in Room 209 that night — and why th…