The MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester took a poignant turn as host Rita Ora honored the late Liam Payne, almost a month after his passing.
Ora, who collaborated with Payne on the 2018 hit For You, described him as “one of the kindest people that I knew,” her voice faltering as she paid tribute.
Dressed in a dark suit, Ora’s heartfelt words contrasted with the typically vibrant atmosphere of the EMAs, creating a memorable moment.
A tribute video followed, featuring photos of Payne and a clip of One Direction’s Night Changes, bringing the audience to a reflective silence.
The evening celebrated other musical icons, with Taylor Swift making history as the first artist to win Best Artist three times.
She took home four awards, though her absence from Manchester was felt as she prepared to resume her Eras Tour in Canada.
Other notable winners included Raye for Best UK & Ireland Act and Sabrina Carpenter, who won Best Song for Espresso.
Rising talents Benson Boone and South African star Tyla also took the spotlight, with Tyla sweeping awards for Best R&B, Best Afrobeats, and Best African Artist.
US rapper Busta Rhymes received the Global Icon Award, reflecting on his childhood summers spent in Morecambe, northwest England.
The ceremony, held in the UK for the first time since 2017, highlighted Manchester’s cultural legacy.
Presenters included local icons and Manchester legends, from Bez and Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays to singer Mabel and her mother Neneh Cherry, who won Best Song at the first EMAs in 1994.
The night ended with Ora leading a sing-along to Oasis’s Wonderwall, a fitting nod to Manchester’s rich music heritage.
The EMAs celebrated both legacy and loss, making it an unforgettable night for the city and the global music community.
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