Rita Ora pays tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards: 'He brought so much joy'

The 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, which saw big wins from pop stars Taylor Swift and Tyla, included a heartfelt tribute from Rita Ora to Liam Payne on Sunday.

The British singer-songwriter, who hosted Sunday's ceremony in Manchester, England, led a tribute to the late One Direction member, who died last month after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires. He was 31.

"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," a visibly emotional Ora, who collaborated with Payne on the 2018 song "For You," said.

The emotional segment later brought the singer to tears. "He brought so much joy to every room he walked into, and he left such a mark on this world," she added.

Ora previously paid tribute to Payne with a concert performance of their collaboration "For You." The Oct. 17 performance, which took place the day after Payne's death, proved to be overwhelming for Ora, who said onstage, "I can't even sing this right now."

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Sunday's ceremony marked the EMAs' return after last year's Paris event was cancelled shortly following the outbreak of the Gaza war, in which Israel's military is fighting Hamas militants.

Taylor Swift, Tyla emerge top winners at MTV Europe Music Awards

Swift, who had led nominations with seven nods, picked up four trophies at the MTV EMAs: best artist, best video for the Post Malone collaboration "Fortnight", best live and best U.S. act. The pop superstar thanked fans via a video message as she continues performing on the final leg of her Eras Tour.

"The fact that you have honored the tour, everything that's happened with the album this year, the video, it's just unbelievable," said Swift, who released her latest album "The Tortured Poets Department" in April.

South African singer Tyla followed with three prizes — best Afrobeats, best R&B and best African act.

Other winners included Sabrina Carpenter, whose hit "Espresso" won best song. R&B songstress and "Wicked" star Ariana Grande took the best pop award, while rap icon Eminem triumphed in the best hip-hop category.

BTS member Jimin and Mexican singer Peso Pluma won best K-pop and best Latin, respectively, and Oasis singer Liam Gallagher took best rock. Pop rock singer Benson Boone nabbed the best new act award.

Other honorees included hip-hop heavyweight Busta Rhymes, who performed a medley of his hits and received the global icon award, as well as British electro-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, who received the pop pioneer award and closed the show.

Contributing: Ariana Triggs, USA TODAY