Rita Ora has paid emotional tribute to Liam Payne as she hosted this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester, almost a month after the One Direction star’s death.
Ora collaborated with Payne on their 2018 hit single For You, and her voice cracked as she remembered him as “one of the kindest people that I knew”.
She delivered the tribute dressed in a dark suit in a poignant moment that was in contrast to the upbeat tone of the rest of the ceremony.
The night also saw Taylor Swift continue her world domination by making history as the first person to win best artist three times in the EMAs’ 30-year history.
Sunday’s ceremony was the first time the event has been held in the UK since 2017, and the third time Ora has acted as host.
Towards the end of the show, she switched from her high-energy persona to speak about Payne.
“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.
“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. And, you know, there were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him, and I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough.
“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.”
She then introduced a short video featuring photos of Payne and a snippet of One Direction song Night Changes.
