Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's teenage rapper son has landed a headlining gig for a shawarma festival despite facing relentless mockery online. Ottawa's Shawarma Festival is set to feature Xavier Trudeau on Sunday as guests chow down on the Middle Eastern cuisine. The 18-year-old, who goes by the stage name Xav, has been regularly criticized online as him 'cringe' and 'privileged', and was recently dubbed 'Lil Carbon Tax.' Complaints quickly piled up online after the report that the former Prime Minister's son would be the festival's star. 

'His agent must be having a heck of a time getting gigs,' one person wrote on X. 'Everyone hates him because of his Dad, and he can't sing. Great combo.' 'How much did Trudeau pay for this appearance?' Another asked. 'Who cares! But obviously he needs as much publicity as possible because he's not that great of a singer,' a third added. A world record attempt to build the longest shawarma sandwich will also be a highlight of the feast. It is not clear whether Xav will open up for the shawarma record attempt or follow it.

Xavier released his debut single 'Til The Nights Done' in February of 2025. He has released several other R&B-style songs since. In an on-the-street interview in May, he addressed his critics who dislike him because of his father. 'Just do what you love and don't let the haters get to you, ' said the rapper.

The former Prime Minister made an appearance in his son's music video in November, 2025, where he appeared to indicate pride in his son's endeavors. He is shown looking on contemplatively following a series of clips that featured a high-flying Xavier performing. Trudeau, 53, has also plugged Xav's music on social media. Notably, the former Prime Minister has been in a relationship with 41-year-old pop star Katy Perry. The couple was first spotted on October 25, 2025, when Perry and Trudeau made their first public appearance together at Crazy Horse Paris.

The pair had been pictured together and romantically linked repeatedly over the summer. They were seen on a date in Montreal shortly after Perry split with longtime fiancée Orlando Bloom in June. Trudeau announced his separation from his wife of 18 years, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, in August 2023. The couple shares Xavier and two other children: Ella-Grace, 16, and 11-year-old Hadrien.