Rita Ora Delivers Emotional Tribute to Liam Payne at the 2024 MTV EMAs
Rita Ora paid a heartfelt tribute to her late friend Liam Payne while hosting the 2024 MTV EMAs. The former One Direction member tragically passed away on 16th October at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An Argentinian prosecutor later confirmed that his cause of death was multiple traumas and both internal and external bleeding.
During the awards ceremony at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 10th November, Ora took a moment to honour Payne, saying that she wanted to remember someone who was very dear to most people. She added that he had been a significant part of the MTV world, her life, and the lives of many others.
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She described Liam Payne as one of the kindest people she knew explaining that there had been many discussions on how to honour him, but sometimes simply speaking from the heart was the most meaningful way. Ora went on to say that he had the biggest heart and was always the first to offer help whenever he could. She shared that he brought so much joy to every room he entered and left such a mark on this world, her voice breaking with emotion as she spoke.
She paused the ceremony to encourage everyone to take a moment to remember him. As the audience continued to honour the late singer, One Direction’s 2014 song Night Changes played over a photo montage of Payne.
Just hours after his passing, Ora had already performed their 2018 collaboration For You from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, visibly emotional during the performance. She stopped mid-song, telling the crowd that she couldn’t continue and asked them to sing it for her. She later apologized and left the stage, clearly overwhelmed.
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Following the performance, Ora shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing how devastated she was by the loss of Payne. She spoke about his kindness and how she would always cherish the time they spent together both on and off stage. She also mentioned how much working with him meant to her, saying that his passing broke her heart. Ora shared her love and prayers for his family and noted that their song now held an entirely new significance for her.
Ora, hosting the MTV EMAs for a third time, also introduced performances from Benson Boone, RAYE, Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims, The Warning, LE SSERAFIM, Peso Pluma, Tyla, Busta Rhymes, and Pet Shop Boys.
—Silviya.Y
