Rita Ora has paid an emotional tribute to her friend Liam Payne while hosting the 2024 MTV EMAs.
The former One Direction member died on October 16 at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Argentinian prosecutor’s office has since shared that his cause of death was due to multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.
Speaking from the stage of the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester during the awards ceremony on Sunday night (November 10), Ora said: “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.
“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. You know, there were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him, but I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough.”
“He had the biggest heart, he 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,” she continued, with her voice starting to break.
rita ora pay tribute to liam payne tonight during the #MTVEMA 🕊️💔
this breaks my heart, we all miss u liam. #MTVEMAs #MTVEMAs2024 #EMAs pic.twitter.com/HgSTfLyMxm
— ᯓ★ laure • saw louis x2 𓊍ᶻ (@zquadrry28x) November 10, 2024
Rita Ora pays a stunning tribute to her dear friend, the multi-talented Liam Payne, at the @mtvema #MTVEMAs 2024.
Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and fans always 🤍 pic.twitter.com/5M7VexnaAh
— Official Charts (@officialcharts) November 10, 2024
As the live crowd cheered, she added: “So, let’s just take a moment to remember our friend Liam.” As the live audience continued to show their own tribute to the late singer, One Direction’s 2014 song ‘Night Changes’ played over a montage of photos of Payne.
Just hours after Payne’s death last month, Ora paid tribute to him with an emotional performance of their collaboration ‘For You’, from the soundtrack to the 2018 film Fifty Shades Freed. Halfway through the performance, Ora announced “I can’t even sing this right now — can you do it for me?”, as she sat on a riser with her head in hands, appearing to be crying. Later, she mouthed “I’m sorry” to the audience before walking offstage with her arms crossed.
After the performance, Ora took to social media to share that same photograph of herself with Liam in the studio. She wrote in Payne’s memory: “I’m devastated 💔 He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P.”
Ora was hosting the MTV EMAs for a record-breaking third time, and the show featured live performances from Benson Boone, RAYE, Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims, The Warning, LE SSERAFIM, Peso Pluma, Tyla, Busta Rhymes and Pet Shop Boys. Little Simz also presented the Global Icon Award to Busta Rhymes.
