Rita Ora is tearful in tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Awards
Rita Ora paid an emotional tribute to Liam Payne while hosting this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester, just under a month after the tragic passing of the One Direction star.
Ora, who collaborated with Payne on their 2018 hit “For You,” was visibly moved as she recalled him, describing him as “one of the kindest people that I knew.” Her voice faltered during the tribute, which was a somber moment in contrast to the generally upbeat tone of the evening.
The night also marked a milestone for Taylor Swift, who made history by becoming the first artist to win Best Artist three times in the 30-year history of the EMAs.
Sunday’s ceremony was the first time the event had been held in the UK since 2017 and marked Ora’s third time as host.
As the show neared its conclusion, Ora shifted from her lively hosting persona to reflect on Payne’s life. “I just want to take a moment to remember someone who was very, very dear to us,” she told the audience. “We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world, my world, and I think a lot of yours too.”
She went on: “Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. There were many ways we discussed honoring him, but sometimes just speaking is enough. He had the biggest heart and was always the first to offer help in any way he could.”
“He brought so much joy to every room he entered and left an unforgettable mark on this world. So let’s take a moment to remember our friend.”
Ora then introduced a short tribute video featuring photos of Payne and a clip of the One Direction song “Night Changes.”
Elsewhere during the ceremony, Swift claimed four awards—Best Artist, Best Video (for “Fortnite”), Best Live Act, and Best US Artist—but was not present in Manchester to accept them. Instead, she was in Canada, preparing for the final leg of her Eras tour, while also supporting her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, as his Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over the Denver Broncos.
In a video acceptance speech, she said: “I am coming to you from the Eras tour, and I’m so sad that I can’t be with you tonight. But thank you so much for these amazing awards.
“The fact that you have honoured the tour [and] everything that’s happened with the album this year, the video, it’s just unbelievable.”
She thanked Post Malone, who featured on Fortnight, and her fans for voting for her.
“I had the best time touring in Europe this summer, so it just is wonderful for you to do this,” she added.
Sabrina Carpenter won best song for her hit Espresso but she too was absent, performing on her Short n’ Sweet tour in San Diego on Sunday.
Raye was among the stars who were in Manchester – she picked up the award for best UK and Ireland act and performed two songs at the ceremony.
US singer-songwriter Benson Boone was also in town, opening the show by playing the piano while suspended above the crowd at the Co-op Live arena, before picking up the prize for best new artist.
“I was extremely unprepared for this, but I will say I’ve not been doing music a crazy long time,” he said in his speech.
“I didn’t know this is where my life would go. And a couple years ago, I found my voice and I found my passion and my career.”
South African star Tyla won best R&B, best Afrobeats and best African artist, telling BBC News she was “honoured and humbled”.
She was among the night’s other performers, as were Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims and the Pet Shop Boys, who were named pop pioneers.
US rapper Busta Rhymes received the global icon award, telling the BBC beforehand: “Tonight is a dream come true. I’m honoured. I feel tremendously blessed.”
It was a return to north-west England for Rhymes, who spent two summers living with his Aunt Velma in Morecambe as a child.
“I went to school, went to karate school, and we illegally went to clubs, breakdancing to make a little money, and it was fun,” he recalled of those trips.
Morecambe is also the adopted hometown of boxer Tyson Fury who moved there after his marriage to wife Paris in 2008.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was the only Mancunian winner, scooping the award for best rock act – but he was not there and the prize was not announced on stage, instead being revealed as part of a brief round-up of several categories.
The absence of any members of Oasis left it to Rita Ora to lead the crowd in a brief sing-along of their hit Wonderwall.
