Kaylah Walton
After the Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a disheartening 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7, Canadian musician Drake has humorously shifted the infamous jinx that many associate with him toward pop sensation Justin Bieber.
Drake, who placed a hefty $1 million bet on the Maple Leafs to proceed in the playoffs, lightheartedly redirected the blame for the team’s unexpected exit, showcasing his typical sense of humor amid his recurring misfortunes.
“Bieber curse…” wrote Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, in his Instagram story, alluding to the presence of Justin and Hailey Bieber at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday, May 18.
The 38-year-old’s million-dollar wager would have reaped over $2.1 million had the Leafs progressed, yet their downfall further solidifies a narrative that has plagued him throughout his betting endeavors.
The couple attended the event dressed fashionably, opting for trendy outfits instead of standard team gear, and were left disappointed as the Maple Leafs had no answer for the Panthers.
This situation plays into the infamous “Drake Curse“, a term that has developed around the rapper after he has supported many athletes and teams, only to see them falter, even when the expectations were high.
In 2019, he wagered on Alabama during the College Football Playoff championship, yet they faced a staggering 44-16 defeat to the Clemson Tigers. He also backed Conor McGregor publicly prior to a 2018 fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, which ended in a defeat via submission.
Additionally, Serena Williams experienced a stunning loss at the 2015 U.S. Open after being seen with Drake in her players’ box during the semifinals in New York City. The defeat to Roberta Vinci eliminated her chance at a Grand Slam.
Drake supports petition for Tory Lanez’s pardon
Drake is also lending his voice for fellow Canadian artist Tory Lanez, who is now serving a 10-year sentence following his 2023 conviction for shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
“@torylanez come home soon,” Drake shared on Instagram, including a link to a Change.org petition urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to grant Lanez a pardon.
The initiative argues that Lanez, whose actual name is Daystar Peterson, was not convicted on enough tangible evidence. The petition claims the justice system let him down and that political factors influenced his sentencing.
Currently, over 250,000 people have signed the petition, calling for Lanez‘s freedom as well as broader criminal justice reforms, especially after he was recently attacked in prison.
Lanez was tried and found guilty in a California state court, allowing Newsom the power to grant a pardon; however, legal analysts believe the chances of this happening are slim.
Lanez faced charges stemming from a July 2020 incident in which he was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot during a dispute. New claims have emerged, suggesting he wasn’t involved at all.
