During her hosting of the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester, Rita Ora paid a heartfelt homage to Liam Payne, who had died almost a month earlier. As she recalled Payne at the ceremony, Ora, who had worked with him on the 2018 single ‘For You’, was clearly moved. Sharing her grief over Payne’s passing, she called him “one of the kindest people that I knew,” her voice breaking.
It was the first time the EMAs had been held in the UK since 2017, and Ora, wearing a dark suit, gave the tribute with the lively atmosphere of the event. “I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us,” Ora said, expressing her anguish as she recalled Payne at the ceremony, which she had hosted for the third time.
In order to honor Liam Payne, who was very active in the MTV industry, the audience was requested to take a moment. Ora said he had been “a big part” of her world and the larger music community, bringing joy and kindness to many people’s hearts.
She went on to consider Payne’s kindness, remembering that he always had “the biggest heart” and was the first to lend a helping hand to others. Ora continued, saying that Payne had made a big impact on the world and that “he brought so much joy to every room he went into.”
Ora then played a video tribute to Payne, which included a clip from One Direction’s song “Night Changes” and pictures of the late singer. The heartfelt remembrance served as a somber moment amidst the EMAs’ celebration of accomplishment and music.
Taylor Swift, meanwhile, continues to rule the music business, becoming the first performer to win ‘Best Artist’ three times in the EMAs’ 30-year history. Swift was getting ready to continue her Eras Tour in Canada, therefore she was not present in Manchester despite winning four awards that night. Nevertheless, she gave a video acceptance speech to show her appreciation.
Swift expressed her gratitude for the recognition in a video message that was shot while she was on tour. She specifically mentioned the success of her album and video Fortnite, which took home multiple awards. She expressed gratitude to the Fortnite song’s collaborators and fans, especially Post Malone. “It’s just unbelievable that you honored the tour and everything that happened with the album this year,” she remarked.
With her popular single ‘Espresso,’ Sabrina Carpenter won Best Song, although she was also unable to attend the ceremony because she was on tour in San Diego. Despite the fact that she was unable to accept the prize in person, her victory was hailed as a significant professional accomplishment.
Raye won the Best UK and Ireland Act award and was one of the artists in attendance. In order to further establish herself in the British music scene, she also sang two songs at the ceremony. Her success came as a remarkable appreciation of her ability and impact.
The show began with an outstanding performance by rising American sensation Benson Boone. Boone, who won Best New Artist, played the piano while suspended above the audience at the Co-op Live venue. Boone acknowledged in his address that he had not anticipated his career to take such a big turn, but that he had only discovered his love for music a few years prior.
The success of South African singer Tyla, who took home several accolades, including Best R&B, Best Afrobeats, and Best African Artist, was also honored that evening. As evidence of the increasing global influence of African artists, Tyla thanked the BBC, saying she was “honoured and humbled” by the acknowledgment.
Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims, and the Pet Shop Boys, who were named Pop Pioneers, were among the other star performers of the evening. In a pre-performance interview, US rapper Busta Rhymes said he was thrilled to accept the coveted Global Icon Award and described it as a “dream come true.” Additionally, Rhymes reflected on his early travels to the United Kingdom, particularly to Morecambe, where he had lived with his aunt for two summers.
Rhymes had happy childhood recollections of attending Morecambe’s schools and karate sessions, even breaking into clubs to earn money. He grinned as he thought back on those times, saying they were enjoyable and a significant aspect of his childhood. The EMAs gave Rhymes a stage on which to commemorate his legendary career and recognize his influence on world music.
In celebration of the band’s success, Rita Ora led a quick sing-along during the evening, inspiring the audience to play Oasis‘ iconic song Wonderwall. At the same time, Oasis vocalist Liam Gallagher was absent to claim his Best Rock Act prize. Instead, there were no stage introductions and the award was announced after a quick summary of multiple categories.
The sing-along, in which Ora invited the audience to join her in the well-known song, carried on the celebration of Oasis’ legacy even if Gallagher was not present. The audience found it to be a remarkable occasion as it honored one of Manchester’s most cherished bands.
Happy Mondays’ Bez and Shaun Ryder also appeared at the ceremony, which gave Ora an unexpected opportunity during an interview. Bez provided humor by jokingly conversing with Boone, much to the audience’s amusement, while Ryder kept his customary grim expression.
With subtly referencing the city’s history throughout the evening, the event was a celebration of Manchester’s musical tradition. Using New Order’s “Blue Monday” to announce the candidates and the diagonal black and yellow theme that was influenced by the former Hacienda nightclub, a significant element of Manchester’s music history, were two examples of this tribute.
The event featured a wide range of worldwide musicians from many genres and geographical areas, making it a star-studded affair. With honors honoring international talent, the event provided a chance to highlight the global reach of the music industry.
Along with these special moments, a number of other well-known performers also made appearances during the ceremony. The EMAs have again proved their value as a forum for honoring musical brilliance and celebrating the power of music to bring people together from all walks of life.
Rita Ora found the evening to be a combination of joy and sentiment. Her touching and sincere homage to Liam Payne served as a reminder to the audience of the interpersonal relationships that influence the music industry. Ora’s ability to transition between intense performances and times of introspection was demonstrated throughout her hosting of the event.
Ora ended the concert with the same vigor and excitement that had characterized the remainder of the program, having had a wonderful evening. With its blend of happiness, moving tributes, and acknowledgment of music’s ability to unite people, the EMAs 2023 made an impression.
