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Meredith Shaw
Meredith Shaw
from Wikipedia

Meredith Shaw (born December 4, 1981) is a Canadian radio and television personality, model, body positivity activist, style expert, and singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Ontario.[1] She was the co-host of CityTV's Breakfast Television from 2023 to 2025.[2]

Key Information

Background

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Shaw was born and raised in Toronto. Her parents were both lawyers, and her mother was the Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School.[3] As a child, she took piano, guitar, and voice lessons.[4] She attended Branksome Hall in Toronto. She went on to study opera and theatre arts at Queen's University in Kingston.[5]

Career

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Music, radio, and modeling

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Shaw's first professional break as a singer-songwriter came when Gordie Johnson of the band Big Sugar heard her singing and took her under his wing. Soon, it was agreed that Johnson would produce Shaw's debut album. He took her down to Willie Nelson's Pedernales studio in Austin, Texas to record.[5][6]

The album, Place Called Happy, was released in 2011. Gordie Johnson took Shaw on tour with Big Sugar that same year.[7] Every night of the tour, Johnson brought Shaw on stage for a mash-up of her single "Acted Badly" and Big Sugar's "Turn The Lights On."[8]

The last song on Place Called Happy is called "Girls Who Believe," and it is a song that has taken on a life of its own subsequent to the album's release. It was featured in an episode of the TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation and spawned a community-based initiative called Girls Who Believe, spearheaded by Shaw, which began in 2012 as a series of workshops for girls aged 11 to 17 that ranged in topics from music and creativity to self-esteem. Shaw, along with sponsor Slaight Music, created the "Girls Who Believe Fest" featuring an all-female lineup (the 2013 fest included Meredith Shaw, Molly Thomas, and Ladies of the Canyon), female media personalities, and female-run businesses showcased in an onsite marketplace. The funds raised from the fest go towards the non-profit organization Girls Inc.[4][3][9][10]

Also in 2011, Shaw was hired by Boom 97.3, a radio station in Toronto. During her time at Boom as a weekend host, she interviewed artists, ranging from Serena Ryder and The Spoons to Gordie Johnson and JD Fortune (INXS). She has introduced concerts by The Beach Boys, Platinum Blonde, and Anjulie.[11] In November 2014, Meredith moved up the dial from Boom 97.3 to her new radio home, CHUM 104.5, an iHeartRadio station. She was heard hosting the afternoon drive show from 3 pm to 6 pm weekdays, and on Sundays 11 am to 1 pm for The Back in the Day Brunch.

In 2012, she was signed to the Ben Barry Agency in Toronto,[12] and is currently on the roster at B&M Model Management.[13] Shaw has appeared in campaigns for Hudson’s Bay, Penningtons, Walmart, and Eloquii, among many others, and has participated regularly in Toronto Fashion Week.[10] She has been on the cover of magazines, including Dare Magazine, a Canadian plus-size fashion publication.[14]

Television and body positivity

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Shaw is frequently seen on Canadian television, appearing regularly as a style expert on CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show, The Social, etalk, and Your Morning, promoting diversity in the fashion industry and speaking on particular behalf of the body positivity movement, encouraging girls and women of all sizes and shapes to feel confident, powerful, and attractive.[13] She has worked closely in this regard with a variety of Canadian initiatives, including Girls Inc., Girl Talk, and Shoppers’ Drug Mart’s “Love You Run For Women."[15][16]

In 2016, Shaw started an inclusive style column for Canadian Living magazine.[17]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Shaw began posting a filmed-at-home cooking show with her partner, Rodney Bowers, a Toronto-based chef, on Instagram Live, for her Back in the Day Brunch radio show. Before long she received a call from CTV, offering some higher-end production equipment so that they could produce the show for television. The show, called Double Your Dish, airs Sunday evenings on CTV. Shaw sees the show as a breakthrough of sorts. “It’s pretty cool to have a cooking show with two people in bigger bodies because I don’t think you see that very much,” she told the Toronto Star in July 2020.[18]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Shaw began co-hosting etalk's live Twitter aftershow for Canada's Drag Race alongside Traci Melchor, averaging 1.4 million viewers total over the course of the 10-week run.[19][20]

On September 5, 2023, Shaw joined CityTV's Breakfast Television as the new co-host, replacing Dina Pugliese.[21] In January 2024 she also announced a new weekend radio show, The Feel Good Brunch, to air on Citytv's co-owned CHFI-FM and other adult contemporary radio stations owned by Rogers Radio across Canada.[22] Shaw's departure from BT was announced on February 10, 2025.

Discography

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Albums

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  • Place Called Happy (2011)

EPs

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  • Trouble (2013) (eOne Music Canada)
  • Hardest Goodbye (2014) (eOne Music Canada)

Singles

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  • "Acted Badly Remix featuring DJ Friendlyness (2012) – Written by Meredith Shaw, Patrick Ballantyne, DJ Friendlyness. Produced by Gordie Johnson.
  • "Trouble (Soul Proprietor Reheat) (2013) – Written by Meredith Shaw and Joel Plaskett. Produced by Eon Sinclair (Soul Proprietor, Bedouin Soundclash).

Songwriting and collaborations

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  • Co-writer, "Little Bit A Alright" (Big Sugar) (RPM, 2012)
  • Co-writer, "Come A Little Closer" (Big Sugar) (RPM, 2012)
  • Co-writer, "There's No Tellin" (Big Sugar) (RPM, 2012)
  • Album artwork designer, I Was Just Trying to Help (Sit Down Servant) (2012)
  • Backing vocals, RPM (Big Sugar) (2012 Bread & Butter Productions)
  • Co-writer, "Take it All Away" (Andy Brown) (Tin Man, 2013)

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Meredith Shaw is a Canadian broadcaster, , and style consultant known for her roles in radio and television, as well as her work modeling plus-size fashion and promoting body inclusivity. She began her career in music with the release of her debut album Place Called Happy in 2011, which she recorded at Willie Nelson's studio and followed with a cross-Canada tour, achieving a top-10 hit on . Transitioning to media, Shaw hosted programs on stations including Boom 97.3, CHUM 104.5, and CHFI, before joining television as a co-host on shows such as CTV's The Social, Your Morning, eTalk, and The Marilyn Denis Show. In September 2023, she became co-host of Citytv's Breakfast Television, Canada's top-rated morning program, replacing Dina Pugliese alongside Sid Seixeiro. Shaw's tenure on Breakfast Television ended abruptly in February 2025 amid a broader restructuring at Citytv by parent company Rogers Sports & Media, with the announcement catching viewers off guard and prompting backlash from fans who felt blindsided by the lack of explanation. Prior to this, she modeled for retailers like Hudson's Bay and Walmart, appeared in publications including Vogue and Dare Magazine, and created the digital series Body Language to discuss self-perception and fashion accessibility for diverse body types. An award-winning figure in Canadian broadcasting, Shaw has collaborated with organizations such as Girls Inc. and Shoppers Drug Mart on initiatives supporting women, while maintaining a focus on style expertise and personal empowerment.

Early Life

Childhood and Family Background

Meredith Shaw was born on December 4, 1981, in , , . She grew up in , embracing an urban lifestyle as a self-described "city girl through and through." Her parents, both lawyers who originated from , fostered a enduring connection to the province despite the family's base. Shaw's extended family resides in , prompting annual visits every summer and Christmas to her grandparents' farm, where she engaged with rural traditions including equestrian pursuits—her aunts had been honored as Queen and Princess. Her mother, Marilyn Shaw, achieved distinction as the first female dean of in .

Education and Early Aspirations

Shaw attended , an high school in , completing her secondary education there prior to university. At age 14, while waiting for concert tickets, she was scouted by a modeling agency, marking her initial entry into the fashion industry and sparking early interests in performance and public presentation. She pursued higher education at Queen's University in , graduating in 2004 with a degree from the Faculty of Arts and Science, where she focused on and drama programs. During her studies, Shaw took opera lessons to strengthen her vocal technique, which later supported her endurance in broadcasting and . She participated in extracurricular activities, including the Queen's Players theater troupe, which developed her and stage presence skills essential for live performance. Shaw's early aspirations centered on music and creative expression; she regularly performed songs at campus venues like Clark Hall Pub and Alfie’s, building confidence for a professional career. At age 19, during her university years, she signed her first record deal as a , reflecting her commitment to pursuing professionally alongside dramatic arts. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for her multifaceted interests in entertainment without immediate professional commitments.

Music Career

Debut as Singer-Songwriter

Meredith Shaw entered the music industry as an independent , releasing her debut Place Called Happy on May 10, 2011. Recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in , the album showcased her songwriting rooted in personal experiences, blending rock-infused elements with themes of self-empowerment and relational introspection, as heard in tracks like "Girls Who Believe," which encourages resilience and self-belief. The release garnered early recognition in the Canadian indie scene, including a top 10 hit on and a for Best Female Adult Contemporary Album at the 2012 Toronto Independent Music Awards. Shaw promoted the album through live performances, including a cross-Canada tour and showcases at events like 's Indie Week, establishing her presence in local music circuits prior to expanding into broadcasting.

Key Releases and Collaborations

Shaw released her debut album, Place Called Happy, in 2011, produced by of Big Sugar. The album included the single "Girls Who Believe," which was featured on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. In 2012, Shaw issued the single "Acted Badly (Remix)" featuring DJ Friendlyness, co-written with Patrick Ballantyne and DJ Friendlyness, and produced by . Shaw followed with the EP Trouble in 2013 via eOne . The subsequent EP, Hardest Goodbye, appeared in 2014, also through eOne , with a release date of ; it included tracks such as "Call It A Night" and featured contributions from John Angus MacDonald. Shaw collaborated with Big Sugar, co-writing "Little Bit A Alright" alongside Gordie Johnson and DJ Friendlyness for their 2011 output, and toured with the band in subsequent years.

Broadcasting Career

Radio Hosting Roles

Shaw began her radio career in 2011 at Toronto's Boom 97.3 as a weekend host, where she conducted artist interviews including Serena Ryder, The Spoons, Gordie Johnson, and INXS. In this role, she hosted the Weekend Morning Show, gaining experience in music-focused programming and building a foundation for her broadcasting progression. In November 2014, Shaw transitioned to CHUM 104.5, an station, taking over the weekday Afternoon Drive slot from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. She maintained this position for approximately eight years, delivering daily content centered on , , and listener engagement until departing in mid-August 2023. Concurrently, Shaw hosted the syndicated weekend program The Back in the Day on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which aired nationally via iHeartRadio and featured throwback hits alongside guest appearances from artists such as , , , and . Following her exit from CHUM 104.5, Shaw returned to radio in January 2024 as host of The Feel Good Brunch, a new Sunday morning show broadcast across Rogers Sports & Media's network, including stations like CHFI in . This program emphasizes uplifting music selections and conversational segments, marking her shift to a syndicated weekend format on a broader platform of adult contemporary outlets.

Television Appearances and Hosting

Meredith Shaw began appearing on Canadian television in the mid-2010s as a style expert, providing and wardrobe advice on CTV programs including The Show, The Social, etalk, and . On The Show, she contributed as a fashion stylist in segments focused on inclusive styling tips and outfit selections, with documented appearances spanning from 2018 to 2022. These roles emphasized practical style consultations, often highlighting accessible trends for diverse body types, drawing on her background in modeling and broadcasting. In 2020, Shaw co-hosted the CTV cooking series Double Your Dish alongside Chef Rodney Bowers, where the format involved transforming basic recipes into elevated versions, airing episodes that combined culinary demonstrations with lifestyle elements. This marked one of her early forays into full hosting duties on national television, blending her on-air presence with guest chef interactions. Shaw's most prominent television hosting role came in September 2023, when she joined Citytv's Breakfast Television as co-host alongside Sid Seixeiro, succeeding Dina Pugliese and contributing to the morning show's mix of news, entertainment, and lifestyle segments. Her tenure, which lasted until February 10, 2025, featured her delivering daily commentary on current events, fashion updates, and interviews, positioning Breakfast Television as Ontario's top-rated morning program during that period. On February 10, 2025, Rogers Sports & Media announced an abrupt parting of ways with Shaw and Seixeiro as part of the show's "evolution," with no detailed reasons provided by the network despite viewer backlash and speculation in media reports about internal restructuring. Post-departure, Shaw reflected publicly on the experience of job loss in interviews, framing it as a common professional challenge without attributing fault to specific parties.

Modeling and Style Expertise

Entry into Modeling

Meredith Shaw was first approached by a scout at age 14 while standing in line for concert tickets, marking her initial entry into modeling. She began working in the industry at that time but encountered significant hurdles, including a mismatch with the conventional straight-size standards, which strained her and prompted her parents to halt their support due to its detrimental effects on her . Shaw revisited modeling at age 19, transitioning into the plus-size category after encouragement from a amid her reluctance, shaped by cultural expectations to reduce her size. This shift enabled her professional development in Canada's niche plus-size market, where she signed with the Ben Barry Agency in by 2012. She later aligned with B&M Models, known for promoting diverse body representations. Her early career involved runway appearances, including at Fashion Week, and commercial campaigns for Canadian retailers such as Hudson's Bay, Penningtons, and . Size-related barriers persisted, exemplified by the industry's historical underrepresentation of plus-size figures, though Shaw's accounts emphasize internal conflicts over explicit rejections.

Fashion Influence and Public Persona

Shaw has cultivated a reputation as a style expert focused on empowering women through accessible, size-inclusive fashion advice, leveraging her platforms to recommend versatile pieces that prioritize fit and confidence. On her personal website, she highlights wardrobe staples like the , which she describes as a "magical" foundational garment offering seamless support and adaptability for various outfits, suitable for professional and casual settings. In her November 2024 blog post on holiday dressing, Shaw advocates for blazers as transformative items that elevate existing dresses into work-appropriate ensembles, emphasizing their role in building a multifunctional closet. Her influence extends to curating trends for diverse body sizes via retail partnerships, notably with PENN, where she selected 10 summer pieces in May 2024—featuring vibrant hues, bold prints, and relaxed silhouettes like wide-leg pants—exclusively in sizes 14 and above to promote playful, everyday wear. By October 2024, Shaw launched a 12-piece holiday capsule with the retailer for sizes 14 to 32, including metallic knit tunics and wide-leg trousers designed to "redefine holiday fashion" with glamorous yet comfortable options that avoid traditional restrictive silhouettes. These selections underscore her push for brands to stock inclusive ranges in physical stores, as evidenced by her public critiques of limited availability in plus-size sections. Shaw's public persona manifests in her on-air wardrobe choices, where she consistently opts for eye-catching, body-flattering ensembles that blend trends with practicality, such as plaid and velvet combinations during personal milestones or power suits paired with feminine dresses on Breakfast Television. This approach, visible in her daily broadcasts and Instagram reels with over 81,000 followers, positions her as an approachable authority on "curvy style," encouraging followers to view fashion as a tool for self-expression rather than conformity. Her January 2025 endorsements of soft, drapey fabrics from emerging designers further illustrate an evolving focus on tactile quality in plus-size trends, prioritizing items that "feel good" across seasons.

Advocacy Efforts

Involvement in Body Positivity

Following her establishment in modeling and broadcasting, Meredith Shaw began actively promoting through targeted media projects in the 2020s. In 2024, she launched Body Language, a 10-episode series featuring interviews with advocates such as singer and stylist Stephanie Valentine, focusing on experiences in larger bodies and themes including and confidence in swimwear or resolutions. The series, with episodes released starting May 9, 2024, aims to foster discussions on inclusivity across genders and sizes via candid conversations. Shaw has collaborated with apparel brands to advance size-inclusive offerings. On November 4, 2024, she introduced her debut collection, "Meredith Heart ," with Penningtons, a Canadian plus-size retailer, drawing inspiration from for diverse body types to encourage personal expression. She serves as a mentor for the Every Body Matters Sustainable Fashion Council, which supports initiatives emphasizing representation in design and production. In public forums, Shaw has articulated positions challenging conventional beauty norms. During a March 6, 2024, feature in the Toronto Star, she joined panelists including Tracy Moore to address body scrutiny in media, noting her status as one of few plus-size women on Canadian television and rejecting reduction to physical appearance. In a July 4, 2024, appearance on the Spicy Fat podcast, she discussed career inspirations tied to advocating for all bodies. Earlier, in a 2021 NUVO interview, Shaw contended that industry resistance to broader sizing stems from deliberate choices rather than logistical barriers, asserting that exclusion denies individuals not only garments but also self-assurance.

Campaigns and Public Speaking

Shaw has collaborated on fashion campaigns advocating for plus-size inclusivity, including modeling partnerships with Hudson's Bay, Penningtons, and Calista Bridal in 2016. She served as a for Canadian Living's #WeTheCurvy feature, offering style guidance tailored to curvy figures to promote accessible options. In April 2024, she partnered with PENN. to design and launch a summer dress collection available in plus sizes up to 5X, emphasizing celebratory and versatile styling. This effort extended into October 2024 with a holiday collection for Penningtons, featuring size-inclusive pieces from 10 to 32 to highlight festive wear beyond traditional sizing constraints. In public speaking, Shaw has moderated panels and emceed events focused on empowerment and body representation. On March 5, 2024, she participated in an International Women's Day discussion alongside Tracy Moore, Ann Pornel, and Lauren Chan, addressing weight shaming and scrutiny in media professions. Later that month, on March 21, she joined fellow plus-size TV personalities in a panel examining body shaming and societal discourse on women's bodies. As a professional emcee, she has hosted galas, fundraisers, and awards presentations, delivering content on confidence, style, and self-acceptance while engaging audiences through improvisation and crowd interaction.

Reception and Controversies

Achievements and Positive Impact

Meredith Shaw received recognition for her career, including a Independent Music Award nomination in 2012 for her work as a . Her debut album, Place Called Happy, released in 2011 and recorded at 's Pedernales studio, achieved a top 10 position on charts and prompted a cross-Canada tour. She earned praise from established artists such as , , and Geordie Johnson for her singing and songwriting talents following the release of three albums. In broadcasting, Shaw hosted iHeartRadio's top-rated syndicated weekend program, The Back in the Day Brunch, which featured interviews with prominent artists including Pink and Bryan Adams. Her nine-year tenure at CHUM-FM in Toronto contributed to her reputation as an award-winning radio host, with positive peer feedback highlighting her wit and ability to engage national audiences. As a style expert on programs like The Marilyn Denis Show and The Social, she influenced on-air discussions about inclusive fashion, earning acclaim for promoting visibility of diverse body types in media. Shaw's advocacy has fostered greater representation for plus-size individuals in modeling and fashion, through campaigns with retailers such as Hudson's Bay, Pennington's, and Eloquii, which expanded size-inclusive options. Her Body Language digital series amplifies voices of body positivity advocates like Lu Kala, inspiring self-acceptance among women, as noted in media profiles emphasizing her role in reshaping narratives around body diversity. Collaborations with organizations including Girls Inc. and Shoppers Drug Mart's "Run for Women" have supported initiatives promoting inclusivity and empowerment, contributing to broader cultural shifts toward acceptance of varied body sizes in public discourse.

Criticisms Regarding Health Promotion

Critics of the movement, which Meredith Shaw has prominently advanced through her media roles and public campaigns, argue that it often minimizes the empirically documented health risks of , potentially fostering acceptance of conditions causally linked to serious comorbidities rather than encouraging evidence-based interventions like . The classifies as a (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, estimating that it contributed to over 5 million deaths globally in 2019, including those from and cardiovascular diseases. For example, meta-analyses indicate that BMI in the obese range elevates the risk of events, with around 80% of individuals with also meeting criteria. In Shaw's case, her messaging—such as appearances promoting inclusivity in food television and style expertise without emphasis on fitness metrics—has been viewed by some as exemplifying a broader trend where rhetoric supersedes causal acknowledgment of 's physiological burdens, like and driven by excess . Analyses in peer-reviewed literature, including contributions to the journal Obesity, suggest that initiatives correlate with stalled efforts against rising prevalence, as they may reduce motivation for behavioral changes like diet and exercise that demonstrably mitigate risks. Medical experts further contend that claims of "fat but fit" viability lack substantiation, given longitudinal data showing 's independent contribution to metabolic dysfunction regardless of activity levels. This perspective prioritizes causal mechanisms—such as visceral fat's role in —over affirmations that, while psychologically supportive, do not alter epidemiological outcomes where triples odds.

Recent Developments

Professional Transitions Post-2023

In February 2025, Meredith Shaw departed from her role as co-host of Citytv's , a position she assumed in early 2023 following Pugliese's exit. The change was announced on-air by remaining host Devo Brown on February 10, 2025, as part of a broader programming shakeup at the network, with Shaw and co-host both leaving abruptly without prior on-air notice to viewers. Shaw issued a farewell message on , expressing gratitude to colleagues and audiences, while indicated plans to reveal the show's refreshed direction soon after. Post-departure, Shaw has publicly addressed the experience of job loss, framing it as an opportunity for resilience and self-ownership rather than defeat. In an October 16, 2025, interview with the , she discussed strategies for processing dismissal, drawing from her own transition and aligning with themes in the book All the Cool Girls Get Fired by former magazine editors Laura Brown and Kristina O'Neill. She emphasized moving forward proactively, stating that acknowledging the setback enables personal growth and new pursuits. No specific network rationale for the changes was disclosed beyond the ongoing . Following the exit, Shaw has shifted toward independent style expertise and media appearances, continuing to position herself as a on and outside structured television roles. Features in outlets like Fashion Canada highlight her ongoing work in investment dressing and style advisory, independent of broadcast commitments. This pivot aligns with her pre-existing emphasis on freelance consulting, allowing flexibility amid industry volatility.

Ongoing Projects as of 2025

As of October 2025, Meredith Shaw sustains her media presence through her official website, where she updates the "Meredith's Must Haves" series, a longstanding segment showcasing curated , , and recommendations. The January 2025 edition, released on February 5, 2025, features seasonal essentials with a giveaway totaling the value of all items, continuing her tradition of engaging audiences interactively despite her departure from earlier that year. Shaw serves as the Canadian spokesperson for , a role announced on September 3, 2025, involving promotional campaigns alongside figures like Tracy Moore to promote inclusive beauty products. This partnership aligns with her styling expertise and extends her influence in commercial endorsements. In , Shaw commemorated the one-year launch of her inaugural collaboration on October 23, 2025, signaling sustained involvement in product lines tailored to diverse body types, including recent holiday collections with brands like PENN. Her active account, with over 100,000 followers, amplifies these efforts through regular posts on style tips, , and advocacy-tied content, maintaining her role as a style expert and influencer.

References

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