A major food and culture event in Canada’s capital is drawing attention after organisers announced that Xavier Trudeau, the teenage son of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will take centre stage as a musical headliner at the upcoming Ottawa Shawarma Festival in Ottawa.
The 18-year-old rapper, who performs under the stage name Xav, is scheduled to appear on Sunday as festivalgoers gather to celebrate Middle Eastern cuisine, with shawarma as the main attraction.
It remains unclear whether his performance will precede or follow one of the event’s more unusual highlights — an attempt to set a world record for the longest shawarma sandwich ever assembled.
Backlash Builds Over “Nepotism Booking” Claims
The announcement of Xav’s appearance quickly triggered a wave of criticism online, with many users questioning whether his family name played a role in securing the high-profile slot.
Social media reactions were sharp and often dismissive, with some users branding the booking as another example of “nepo baby” privilege.
Others suggested the festival’s organisers were banking on notoriety rather than musical merit to attract attention.
Comments circulating online included accusations that the teenager’s career is being boosted by his father’s political legacy, while others openly questioned his talent and whether he was ready for a headline performance of this scale.
A Young Artist Trying to Carve Out a Music Career
Despite the criticism, Xav has been steadily building a presence in the music scene.
He released his debut single “Til The Nights Done” in February 2025 and has since followed it with several R&B-influenced tracks.
He has also been active in public discussions about his growing visibility, acknowledging in a street interview in May that much of the attention he receives is tied to his surname.
His response to critics has been simple: focus on the craft and ignore the noise.
“I just try to do what I love and not let the negativity get to me,” he said at the time.
Family Spotlight and Public Appearances
Xav’s rise in music has not been entirely separate from his family’s public profile.
In November 2025, Justin Trudeau appeared in one of his son’s music videos, a cameo widely interpreted as a gesture of support.
In the video, the former Canadian leader is seen observing scenes of performance clips featuring Xavier, appearing reflective as the footage unfolds.
Trudeau has also occasionally promoted his son’s music on social media, further linking his political legacy with the teenager’s emerging entertainment career.
Personal Life of Justin Trudeau Draws Additional Attention
Beyond politics and family, Trudeau himself has remained in the spotlight following his separation from Sophie Grégoire Trudeau in August 2023, after 18 years of marriage.
The former couple share three children, including Xavier, Ella-Grace (16), and Hadrien (11).
More recently, Trudeau has also been publicly linked to pop star Katy Perry, with the pair first appearing together in late October 2025 during a visit to Crazy Horse Paris.
Their relationship has drawn widespread media attention, particularly after earlier sightings in Montreal following Perry’s split from actor Orlando Bloom.
As the Shawarma Festival prepares for its weekend crowds — and its ambitious record attempt — attention now turns to whether Xav’s performance will win over sceptics or fuel further debate about fame, family influence, and opportunity in the public eye.
