Rita Ora grew emotional while paying tribute to Liam Payne at the MTV European Music Awards on Sunday (November 10).
The former One Direction star died on October 16, at the age of 31, after falling from the third-story balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ora, who duetted with Payne on the song “For You” from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack in 2018, told the audience in London: “I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us.
“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.”
She continued: “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.”
Rita Ora remembers dear friend Liam Payne ❤️🩹 #MTVEMAs pic.twitter.com/muijTQKaZ9
— MTV UK (@MTVUK) November 10, 2024
A short montage of images of Payne then played over the One Direction song “Night Changes.”
Elsewhere on the night, Taylor Swift made history as the first person to win Best Artist three times in the 30-year history of the EMAs.
In a video acceptance speech, she said: “I am coming to you from the Eras tour, and I’m so sad that I can’t be with you tonight. But thank you so much for these amazing awards.
“The fact that you have honored the tour [and] everything that’s happened with the album this year, the video, it’s just unbelievable.”
She thanked Post Malone, who featured on “Fortnight,” and her fans for voting for her.
“I had the best time touring in Europe this summer, so it just is wonderful for you to do this,” she added.
Ora previously paid tribute to Payne during an October show in Osaka, Japan. She sang “For You” in front of a black-and-white image of the pair before asking the audience to sing for her as she sat on a riser with her head in her hands.
Early toxicology reports found that the former One Direction star and solo artist had “multiple substances” in his system when he died. The local prosecutor’s office is currently investigating his death.
