Rita Ora delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Liam Payne during the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, held on November 10 in Manchester. The emotional moment came as Ora hosted the event for the third time, reflecting on her friendship with Payne and his significant impact on both the music industry and her personal life.
As she addressed the audience, Ora, 33, paused to honor Payne, who tragically passed away on October 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “I just want to take a moment to remember someone who was very, very dear to us,” she stated. “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.”
Ora reminisced about their collaboration on the 2018 hit “For You,” expressing that Payne was “one of the kindest people” she had ever known. She emphasized that despite discussions about various ways to honor him, sometimes simply speaking from the heart is enough. “He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could,” she said. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and left such a mark on this world.”
Following her tribute, an in memoriam video montage featured images of Payne alongside clips of One Direction’s song “Night Changes,” accompanied by the message: “MTV remembers Liam Payne 1993–2024.”
Liam Payne’s untimely death at age 31 has been surrounded by tragic circumstances. The Policía Federal Argentina confirmed that he fell from a third-floor balcony. Subsequent toxicology reports revealed that he had alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system at the time of his death. The investigation into his passing has led to charges against three individuals related to drug supply.
Ora previously honored Payne hours after his death during a concert in Osaka, Japan. Overcome with emotion while performing their duet “For You,” she asked the audience for support, saying, “I can’t even sing this right now. Can you sing this for me?” This heartfelt plea underscored her deep sense of loss.
In an Instagram post shortly after his passing, Ora expressed her devastation over losing her friend. She shared memories from their time together in the studio and noted that their song now held a new meaning for her. “I loved working with him so much—he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage,” she wrote. “This tragic news breaks my heart.”
Rita Ora’s tribute at the MTV EMAs highlighted not only her personal grief but also celebrated Liam Payne’s legacy within the music community. As fans continue to mourn his loss, Ora’s heartfelt words serve as a reminder of Payne’s kindness and impact on those who knew him.
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