Breaking Idol confronts sexual violence, power and accountability in the Canadian music industry. The film reveals the identity of the woman whose testimony led to the conviction of Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard and follows her decision to reclaim her name, her story and her voice.

Frantic Films’ new documentary Breaking Idol, from multi-Peabody and Emmy-nominated director Tiffany Hsiung, is now streaming on CBC Gem.

Setting the Scene

In February 2018, a young woman only known as “J.B.” reported being sexually assaulted by Jacob Hoggard, lead singer of the band Hedley in November 2016 (after she saw someone else come forward during #metoo). It took four years for the case to go to trial, and the conviction was handed down in June 2022. During that time, J.B. and the other victim-complainant withstood a brutal and protracted online assault from Hoggard fans who formed a group called the ‘Hedley Army’.

For the last seven years, anonymity was J.B.’s only protection. Three months after Hoggard was found guilty in 2022, J.B. was listening to Canadian True Crime Podcast and realized they were covering her story and trial. Still under publication ban, she privately contacted podcast host Kristi Lee and a connection formed as the series unfolded. The podcast series entitled ‘The Trial of Hedley’s Jacob Hoggard’ ranked among Apple’s Top 10 podcast episodes of 2023 in Canada.

When a third woman pressed sexual assault charges, and Hoggard headed toward a second trial, with the Hedley Army still rallying behind him, Frantic Films optioned the podcast and director-writer Hsiung joined the team to explore Hedley fandom, the role of social media and the power of the music industry in shaping our idols, while putting the survivor’s story front and centre and bringing J.B.’s voice to the world.

On November 19, 2025, J.B. shared her identity and her story for the first time in the documentary Breaking Idol, produced by Frantic Films and which premiered on CBC’s The Passionate Eye documentary series.

In the documentary, survivor Jessica Baker, known during the trial as J.B., steps out from behind her pseudonym, revealing not only the trauma she endured but the cost of speaking out: relentless harassment, re-traumatization in the courtroom, and years of her life on hold.

Since filming, Baker and Lee co-founded advocacy group Beyond the Verdict with BC survivor Kelly Favro.

Interview with Director Tiffany Hsiung

Tiffany Hsiung is an award-winning filmmaker whose work spans documentary, installation, and digital media. Here she shares more details about the experience of making this film and the journey behind Breaking Idol.

Hye’s Thoughts on the Film

I appreciate the meticulous research and personal stories behind Breaking Idol. Hsiung’s filmmaking approach provides gives us intimate access to people whose personal journeys reflect larger social movements.

Although short in running time, we see how various points of view criss cross to give us insight into how individual experiences can spark broader cultural change. We get to see how personal stories can she light on universal truths and also challenge the status quo. I think the film will generate various discussions, as discussed with Hsiung in our conversation. These ongoing conversations will shed light on the importance of seeing the human being behind the headlines and confront the cost of loving our idols more than the truth.

I appreciate documentaries that bring forth these types of conversations. Breaking Idol gives us a critical and powerful personal perspective on the various forces reshaping cultural narratives, individual identity, and the meaning of resilience itself. The film is now available to stream on CBC Gem.