Avril Lavigne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avril Lavigne
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Lavigne in 2024
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Avril Ramona Lavigne
September 27, 1984 Belleville, Ontario, Canada
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| Years active | 1999–present |
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| Awards | Full list |
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Avril Ramona Lavigne (born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is known for making pop-punk music popular in the early 2000s. Her music opened the door for many female punk and pop artists. She has won ten Juno Awards and has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards.
When she was 16, Lavigne signed a record deal with Arista Records. Her first album, Let Go (2002), became the best-selling album of the 21st century by a Canadian artist. It included the hit singles "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi". These songs gave her a skate punk image and earned her the nickname "Pop-Punk Queen."
Her second album, Under My Skin (2004), was her first to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. It sold 10 million copies around the world. Her third album, The Best Damn Thing (2007), was also a huge success. Its lead single, "Girlfriend", became her first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Lavigne continued to release successful albums like Goodbye Lullaby (2011) and Avril Lavigne (2013). After her album Head Above Water (2019), she returned to her pop-punk style with Love Sux (2022).
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Avril Ramona Lavigne was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Her parents noticed her singing talent when she was just two years old. When she was five, her family moved to the small town of Napanee.
To support her love for music, her parents bought her a microphone, a drum kit, a keyboard, and guitars. They even turned their basement into a music studio. At age 14, her parents took her to karaoke sessions. She also performed at country fairs, singing songs by artists like Shania Twain.
In 1999, Lavigne won a radio contest to sing with Shania Twain in front of 20,000 people. She told Twain that she wanted to be a famous singer. Later, a local singer named Stephen Medd invited her to sing on his albums.
Career
1999–2001: Getting a Record Deal
In 1999, Lavigne was discovered by her first manager, Cliff Fabri, while she was singing at a bookstore. Fabri sent videos of her performances to people in the music industry. This led to her working with producer Peter Zizzo in New York in 2000.
In November 2000, an A&R representative for Arista Records, Ken Krongard, heard her sing. He was so impressed that he brought the head of the record label, L.A. Reid, to hear her. After a 15-minute audition, Reid signed her to a deal for two albums. With her parents' support, she left high school to focus on her music career.
2002–2003: Let Go and Global Fame
Lavigne moved to Los Angeles to work on her first album. She worked with a production team called The Matrix and wrote the song "Complicated". This was a major breakthrough for her. Her debut album, Let Go, was released in June 2002.
Let Go was a massive success. It reached number two in the U.S. and number one in Canada, Australia, and the UK. At 17, Lavigne became the youngest female artist to have a number-one album in the UK. The album sold over 16 million copies worldwide.
Her first single, "Complicated," was a huge hit. Her next singles, "Sk8er Boi" and "I'm with You", also reached the top ten. Lavigne won many awards, including four Juno Awards and was nominated for eight Grammy Awards.
2004–2005: Under My Skin
Lavigne's second album, Under My Skin, came out in May 2004. It had a darker and more serious sound. The album debuted at number one in several countries, including the U.S. It sold 10 million copies worldwide.
The lead single, "Don't Tell Me", was a top ten hit in the UK and Canada. The second single, "My Happy Ending", was also a big success. To promote the album, she went on her first world tour, the Bonez Tour.
2006–2011: The Best Damn Thing and Goodbye Lullaby
Lavigne's third album, The Best Damn Thing, was released in April 2007. It had a more fun, pop-punk sound. The album went to number one in the U.S.
Its lead single, "Girlfriend", became her first number-one single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song was so popular that she recorded it in seven other languages. In 2008, she went on The Best Damn World Tour.
Her fourth album, Goodbye Lullaby, was released in March 2011. It had a softer, more emotional sound. The lead single, "What the Hell", was a hit, and the album sold well around the world.
2012–2017: Self-Titled Album
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Three months after Goodbye Lullaby, Lavigne began working on her fifth album. She described it as more fun and pop-oriented. The album, titled Avril Lavigne, was released in November 2013.
The lead single, "Here's to Never Growing Up", was a top 20 hit in the U.S., Australia, and the UK. The album also featured the songs "Rock n Roll" and "Let Me Go". In 2015, she released the song "Fly" for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
2019–Present: Return to Music
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Lavigne's sixth album, Head Above Water, was released in February 2019. The album was inspired by her personal health struggles. It reached the top ten in many countries. She supported the album with the Head Above Water Tour.
In 2021, Lavigne signed with Travis Barker's record label, DTA Records. She released her seventh album, Love Sux, in February 2022. The album marked a return to her pop-punk roots. It featured artists like Blackbear and was a top ten hit in the U.S. and Canada.
In June 2024, Lavigne released a greatest hits album and went on her Greatest Hits Tour. She also performed at the famous Glastonbury Festival for the first time. In 2025, she released new music with artists like Billy Idol and Simple Plan.
Music and Style
Avril Lavigne's music is often described as pop-punk, alternative rock, and pop rock. Her early music had a rebellious, teenage feel. Her first album, Let Go, had a bit of a grunge sound. Her second album, Under My Skin, was darker and heavier.
Her third album, The Best Damn Thing, was much more upbeat and poppy. Later albums like Goodbye Lullaby were softer and more acoustic. With her album Love Sux, she returned to the high-energy pop-punk sound that made her famous.
Lavigne's songs often have messages about being yourself and following your dreams. She has been a major influence for many artists, including Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and the band 5 Seconds of Summer.
Image and Fashion
When Lavigne started her career, she was known for her tomboy style. She often wore neckties, tank tops, baggy pants, and skater shoes. The media called her the "anti-Britney" because her image felt more real and less polished.
For her second album, she adopted a darker, more gothic look. Later, for The Best Damn Thing, she changed her style again. She dyed her hair blonde with a pink streak and wore more feminine outfits like tight jeans and heels. Lavigne has always said that her style changes as she grows up.
Other Work
Acting
Lavigne has also acted in movies and on TV. She voiced a character named Heather in the animated film Over the Hedge (2006). She also had small roles in films like Fast Food Nation (2006) and The Flock (2007). She has appeared as herself on TV shows like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Fashion and Fragrances
In 2008, Lavigne launched her own clothing line called Abbey Dawn. She designs the clothes herself, which often feature skulls, stars, and bright colors. She also released three fragrances: Black Star, Forbidden Rose, and Wild Rose.
Charity Work
Lavigne is involved with many charities. She supports organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and War Child. In 2010, she started The Avril Lavigne Foundation. Her charity helps young people with serious illnesses and disabilities. She also works to raise awareness and funds for people with Lyme disease, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2014.
Personal Life
Lavigne has several tattoos, many of which match tattoos of her friends. She received a French passport in 2011, as her father was born in France. She has lived in Paris to study the French language.
Lavigne was married to Deryck Whibley, the lead singer of Sum 41, from 2006 to 2010. She was later married to Chad Kroeger, the frontman of Nickelback, from 2013 to 2015.
In 2015, Lavigne shared that she had been diagnosed with Lyme disease. She said she was recovering and wanted to help others by raising awareness about the illness.
Discography
- Let Go (2002)
- Under My Skin (2004)
- The Best Damn Thing (2007)
- Goodbye Lullaby (2011)
- Avril Lavigne (2013)
- Head Above Water (2019)
- Love Sux (2022)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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| 2002 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Herself | Cameo appearance; episode: "Bada-Ping!" |
| 2004 | Going the Distance | Herself | Cameo appearance |
| 2006 | Over the Hedge | Heather (voice) | |
| 2006 | Fast Food Nation | Alice | |
| 2007 | The Flock | Beatrice Bell | |
| 2010 | American Idol | Guest Judge | Los Angeles auditions |
| 2011 | Majors & Minors | Guest Mentor | |
| 2018 | Charming | Snow White (voice) | |
| 2022 | Good Mourning | Herself | |
| 2024 | Angry Birds Mystery Island | Tuba |
Tours
Headlining
- Try to Shut Me Up Tour (2002–2003)
- Bonez Tour (2004–2005)
- The Best Damn World Tour (2008)
- Black Star Tour (2011–2012)
- The Avril Lavigne Tour (2013–2014)
- Head Above Water Tour (2019)
- Love Sux Tour (2022–2023)
- Greatest Hits Tour (2024-2025)
See also
In Spanish: Avril Lavigne para niños
- Honorific nicknames in popular music
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
