2024 MTV EMAs: Rita Ora remembers Liam Payne in moving tribute

The 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester brought an emotional moment to the night’s festivities as host Rita Ora took time to honor her late friend and collaborator, Liam Payne.

Nearly a month after Payne’s passing, Ora’s heartfelt tribute offered a quiet pause in an otherwise lively event. Dressed in a somber dark suit, she shared her memories with the audience, calling Payne “one of the kindest people that I knew.”

As the night’s upbeat performances and award announcements filled the arena, Ora’s tribute struck a resonant note. “I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us,” she said, her voice faltering.

“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.”

Beyond Ora’s tribute, the evening also marked a historic win for Taylor Swift, who became the first artist in the EMA’s 30-year history to earn Best Artist three times, adding another milestone to her record-breaking year.

Held in the UK for the first time since 2017, the ceremony brought Ora back for her third hosting role, balancing both high-energy entertainment and a moment of shared remembrance.

Ora’s tribute to Payne and Swift’s unprecedented achievement made the 2024 EMAs a night filled with both nostalgia and celebration for fans around the world.