BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Breaking Idol, a CBC documentary

Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Canadian True Crime
Host: Kristi Lee
Episode Title: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Breaking Idol, a CBC documentary
Release Date: November 24, 2025

This special episode departs from Canadian True Crime’s usual immersive storytelling to deliver a significant announcement. Host Kristi Lee introduces listeners to Breaking Idol, a newly released CBC documentary that she participated in. The film centers on the story of a survivor at the heart of the first sexual assault trial involving musician Jacob Hoggard of Hedley. For the first time publicly, the survivor steps forward to reclaim her name and share her difficult journey navigating trauma, disclosure, and the court system. The episode provides an overview of the documentary’s themes, a glimpse behind its creation, and compelling clips from those involved.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Announcement of "Breaking Idol" ([00:00])

• Kristi Lee expresses her excitement about finally sharing her involvement with Breaking Idol.
• The documentary is now available in Canada on CBC Gem and YouTube.
• Focuses on the first sexual assault trial of Jacob Hoggard, with particular emphasis on the primary survivor.

2. The Survivor, Formerly Known as JB ([00:31])

• The survivor (formerly referred to as JB/Emma/the ‘Ottawa woman’) steps into the spotlight for the first time on camera.
• Breaking Idol documents her journey from meeting Hoggard to enduring the trial and ultimately choosing to reveal her identity.

Notable Quote (JB):

"For the past seven years I’ve been referred to as JB, Emma, the Ottawa woman, a liar."
— JB (00:31)

3. JB’s Story: From Trauma to Reclamation ([00:39] – [03:47])

• The documentary chronicles JB’s decision to report sexual assault to support another survivor.
• Details the harrowing legal process, including “cruel defence tactics” in the witness box and the impact of having her identity hidden.
• Highlights the survivor’s decision to lift her publication ban and reclaim her identity.
• Kristi Lee and JB meet in person for the first time as part of this process.

Notable Quote (Kristi Lee):

"...the documentary follows her brave journey from the day she caught the train to Toronto to meet Hoggard in that hotel room. To the day she decided to report her harrowing sexual assault, just so she could stand with another survivor."
— Kristi Lee (00:39)

4. Jacob Hoggard and Hedley: Rise and Controversy ([02:00])

• The documentary reviews Hoggard’s trajectory from Canadian Idol fame to major rock star status.
• Radio clips highlight both his charisma and widespread support.

Notable Quote (Jacob Hoggard, archival):

"I like the up close and personal thing. I like that they’re close enough they can touch us, spit on us or near us."
— Jacob Hoggard (02:00)

5. Coming Forward and Facing Backlash ([02:13] – [02:54])

• Social media played a key role in JB sharing her story (initiated by a Twitter thread asking for ‘creepy Headley stories’).
• She describes severe online vitriol and threats directed at her.

Notable Quote (JB):

"A lot of people were tweeting about me. Once we find out who she is, we should kill her. If she’s lying, she should be shot. I was so anxious and so nervous."
— JB (02:41)

6. The Courtroom Experience ([02:54] – [03:41])

• JB characterizes testifying and being cross-examined as a "second assault," compounded by trauma and aggressive defence strategies.
• Emphasizes her fight to be seen as a real person, not just a “story.”

Notable Quotes:

"Going to court was like a second assault and worse because you’re sitting in front of the person that did the worst thing possible to you. And their defense attorney is hired to make you feel like you are nothing."
— JB (02:57)

"Now I just want people to acknowledge that I’m a real person with feelings. Maybe that might even change his supporters’ minds about me. And it’s reclaiming my story. It’s my story to tell."
— JB (03:10)

7. Revealing Her Name ([03:41] – [03:47])

• Kristi Lee asks JB if she's ready to share her real name, signaling a pivotal moment of identity reclamation.

Notable Quote:

"Today, are you ready to tell us who you really are? What is your actual name?"
— Kristi Lee (03:41)

8. Documentary Credits and Availability ([03:51])

• Directed by award-winning Tiffany Chong.
• Produced by Frantic Films for CBC’s The Passionate Eye.
• Available to Canadian viewers via CBC Gem and the CBC Docs YouTube channel.
• Clips and coverage accessible through Canadian True Crime’s social media.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "For the past seven years I’ve been referred to as JB, Emma, the Ottawa woman, a liar."
  — JB (00:31)
• "Going to court was like a second assault and worse because you’re sitting in front of the person that did the worst thing possible to you..."
  — JB (02:57)
• "Today, are you ready to tell us who you really are? What is your actual name?"
  — Kristi Lee (03:41)
• "Now I just want people to acknowledge that I’m a real person with feelings. ...And it’s reclaiming my story. It’s my story to tell."
  — JB (03:10)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Kristi Lee announces Breaking Idol and introduces JB’s story.
• 00:31 – JB reflects on her years of anonymity and the labels imposed on her.
• 02:00 – Brief overview of Jacob Hoggard’s musical rise.
• 02:13 – JB describes the online backlash after coming forward.
• 02:54 – JB relates the trauma of courtroom cross-examination.
• 03:41 – Kristi prompts JB to reveal her real name.
• 03:51 – Details on where and how to watch the documentary.

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Tone, Language, & Approach

The episode is deeply empathetic, cautious, and respectful, mirroring Kristi Lee’s trademark trauma-informed and fact-based approach. Speakers are direct and candid—especially JB, whose powerful statements ground the narrative in lived experience. The language throughout is sensitive, clear, and oriented toward empowering survivors and revealing the flawed systems that often retraumatize them.

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Summary

This announcement episode of Canadian True Crime offers listeners an exclusive look behind Breaking Idol, a documentary that not only tells the story of Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial but, more importantly, foregrounds the survivor’s journey to reclaiming her identity and narrative. With candid discussion, moving testimony, and a focus on resilience, Kristi Lee and JB invite listeners to witness both the trauma and strength required to come forward—and to listen to a survivor tell her story on her own, powerful terms.

Transcript

[A]

Hi there. Today I am so thrilled to finally share with you a very exciting project I've been involved with. I've mentioned it vaguely a few times this year, but now I can announce Breaking Idol, a new documentary from CBC available now in Canada on CBC Gem and YouTube. Breaking Idol Centres around a courageous survivor at the centre of the first sexual assault trial of Jacob Hogard. She's someone many of you are now familiar with.

[B]

For the past seven years I've been referred to as JB Emma, the Ottawa woman, a liar.

[A]

Today, are you ready to tell us who you really are? For many years JB's identity has been hidden and protected. But in Breaking Idol she steps into the light for the first time on camera. The documentary follows her brave journey from the day she caught the train to Toronto to meet Hoggard in that hotel room. To the day she decided to report her harrowing sexual assault just so she could stand with another survivor. To the gruelling and cruel defence tactics she had to endure in the witness box. And finally, her decision to have her publication ban lifted. Breaking Idol follows JB as she catches a train from Ottawa to Toronto. Once again, the but this time it's to reclaim her identity and share her story of survival and resilience with me. The first time we've met in person. Directed by the brilliant Tiffany Chong, a multi Peabody and two time Canadian Screen award winning filmmaker, Breaking Idol is raw, honest, incredibly thoughtful and eye opening. Take a listen. Jacob's rise to fame was not a surprise. From Canadian Idol to the helm of Sadly Jacob Hogar catapults the band to national fame. With over a million albums sold, Jacob.

[B]

Hogart, he had the whole country at his feet. I like the up close and personal thing. I like that they're close enough they can touch us, spit on us or near us.

[A]

Their sound and success are unmistakable.

[B]

On February 12, 2018, a Twitter user, Taylor Bowman started asking for creepy headley stories. This 24 year old Ottawa woman came forward to CBC News with her story of rape. I was not expecting the backlash online.

[A]

The band is urging fans not to.

[B]

Believe everything they read online.

[A]

People were more and more protective over Jacob. That's when you start seeing the cult like behavior.

[B]

A lot of people were tweeting about me. Once we find out who she is, we should kill her. If she's lying, she should be shot. I was so anxious and so nervous.

[A]

Let's talk about the cross examination.

[B]

Going to court was like a second assault and worse because you're sitting in front of the person that did the worst thing possible to you. And their defense attorney is hired to make you feel like you are nothing. Now I just want people to acknowledge that I'm a real person with feelings. Maybe that might even change his supporters minds about me. And it's reclaiming my story. It's my story to tell. Now for the past seven years, I've been referred to as J.B. emma, the Ottawa woman, a liar.

[A]

Today, are you ready to tell us who you really are? What is your actual name?

[B]

Y.

[A]

Breaking Idol Directed by Tiffany Shung. You can watch Breaking idol now at CBC Gem and at the CBC Docs YouTube channel. It's currently available only in Canada. Sorry, but we've put some media clips up on the Canadian true crime Facebook and Instagram. Breaking Idol, produced by frantic films for CBC's the Passionate Eye.