Rita Ora is tearful in tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Awards

Rita Ora delivered an emotional tribute to her late friend and collaborator Liam Payne during the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester, almost a month after the One Direction star’s passing. Ora, who worked with Payne on their 2018 hit For You, fought back tears as she remembered him, calling him “one of the kindest people that I knew.” Her heartfelt speech stood in stark contrast to the high-energy atmosphere of the rest of the ceremony, marking a poignant moment in the night.

Dressed in a dark suit, Ora switched from her usual upbeat hosting persona to reflect on the loss of Payne, who was a central figure in both the MTV world and Ora’s personal life. “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.”

The tribute continued as Ora spoke of Payne’s generosity and warm spirit. “Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew,” she said. “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.”

Following her words, a short video played, showcasing photos of Payne alongside a snippet of One Direction’s Night Changes, offering a fitting tribute to the singer’s legacy.

Taylor Swift’s Historic Night

While Ora’s tribute was emotional, the rest of the night was filled with high spirits, especially with Taylor Swift continuing her reign at the EMAs. Swift made history by becoming the first artist to win Best Artist three times, marking another milestone in her already remarkable career. She also took home awards for Best Video for Fortnight, Best Live Act, and Best US Artist. However, the singer, who was preparing to continue her Eras tour in Canada, was not present in Manchester to accept her awards.

In a video acceptance speech, Swift expressed her gratitude, “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 honored the tour and everything that’s happened with the album this year, the video, it’s just unbelievable.” She also thanked her fans and collaborators, including Post Malone, who featured on Fortnight, for their support.

Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, and Other Winners

Other big winners included Sabrina Carpenter, who took home Best Song for Espresso. However, she was unable to attend the ceremony due to her ongoing tour. Raye was present and picked up the award for Best UK and Ireland Act, also performing two songs during the ceremony. South African artist Tyla had an outstanding night, winning Best R&B, Best Afrobeats, and Best African Artist. She expressed her gratitude, saying she felt “honoured and humbled.”

Benson Boone and Busta Rhymes Shine

US singer-songwriter Benson Boone, who opened the show with an impressive performance suspended above the crowd on a grand piano, won Best New Artist. He expressed his surprise at the award, saying, “A couple of years ago, I found my voice and I found my passion and my career.”

Rap legend Busta Rhymes received the Global Icon Award, a moment that Rhymes called “a dream come true.” Rhymes, who spent two summers living in Morecambe, UK, as a child, shared fond memories of breakdancing in local nightclubs. “It was fun,” he recalled, reflecting on the impact his time in the UK had on him.

Other Notable Moments

Manchester’s influence was felt throughout the ceremony, from the use of New Order’s Blue Monday to introduce nominees to the iconic black-and-yellow motif inspired by the Hacienda nightclub. The night also saw a lively and unpredictable interview with Shaun Ryder and Bez from Happy Mondays, who threatened to steal the show with their quirky antics. Bez even interrupted Ora’s introduction of K-pop girl group Le Sserafim, adding to the fun atmosphere.

The 2024 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 Act: 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 Artist: Benson Boone
• Best Push: Le Sserafim
• Biggest Fans: Lisa
• Global Icon: Busta Rhymes
• Pop Pioneers: Pet Shop Boys

The night was a celebration of musical talent, marked by touching tributes, unforgettable performances, and historic wins that made the 2024 EMAs a ceremony to remember.