Avril grew up in Ontario, Canada. At the age of 14, she began writing her own music and performing at country fairs. Her first song "Can't Stop Thinking About You" was about a teenage crush, which she described as "cheesy cute". By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain, and by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more than $2 million.