Rita Ora has paid an emotional tribute to Liam Payne as she hosted this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester, almost a month after the One Direction star’s death.
Ora collaborated with Payne on their 2018 hit single For You, and her voice cracked as she remembered him, calling him “one of the kindest people that I knew”.
She delivered the tribute dressed in a dark suit in a poignant moment that was in contrast to the upbeat tone of the rest of the ceremony.
The night also saw Taylor Swift continue her world domination by making history as the first person to win best artist three times in the 30-year history of the EMAs.
The other winners included Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyla and Benson Boone.
Sunday’s ceremony was the first time the event has been held in the UK since 2017, and the third time Ora has acted as host.
Towards the end of the show, she switched from her high-energy persona to speak about Payne.
“I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us,” she told the audience.
“We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight.”
She continued: “Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. And, you know, there were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him, and I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough.
“He had the biggest heart, and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could.
“He brought so much joy to every room he walked into, and he left such a mark on this world. So let’s just take a moment to remember our friend.”
She then introduced a short video featuring photos of Payne and a snippet of One Direction song Night Changes.
Allow Twitter content?
Elsewhere during the night, Swift won four awards – best artist, video (for Fortnight), live act and US artist – but was not in Manchester to accept them.
She is preparing to resume the last leg of her Eras tour in Canada this week, and on Sunday was cheering on boyfriend Travis Kelce as the Kansas City Chiefs beat 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.
The MTV EMA winners:
- Best artist – Taylor Swift
- Best song – Sabrina Carpenter, Espresso
- Best video – Taylor Swift ft Post Malone, Fortnight
- Best collaboration – Lisa ft Rosalía, New Woman
- Best UK and Ireland act – Raye
- Best US act – Taylor Swift
- Best live – Taylor Swift
- Best pop – Ariana Grande
- Best hip-hop – Eminem
- Best K-pop – Jimin
- Best rock – Liam Gallagher
- Best alternative – Imagine Dragons
- Best electronic – Calvin Harris
- Best R&B – Tyla
- Best Afrobeats – Tyla
- Best Latin – Peso Pluma
- Best new – Benson Boone
- Best push – Le Sserafim
- Biggest fans – Lisa
- Global icon – Busta Rhymes
- Pop pioneers – Pet Shop Boys