Rita Ora delivered a heartfelt tribute to her late friend Liam Payne during MTV EMA 2024 in Manchester, reflecting on his kind heart, positive spirit, and the deep loss felt by those who knew him.
Trigger Warning: This article contains references to an individual’s death.
Rita Ora delivered a touching tribute to her late friend, Liam Payne, during the MTV European Music Awards (EMA) 2024. Hosting the event in Manchester, England, Ora took a moment during the show to reflect on Payne’s life, describing him as one of the kindest and most generous people she had ever known. Her heartfelt speech resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom were visibly moved by her words.
Rita Ora began her tribute by addressing the audience and viewers at home. “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,” she said. Ora mentioned how much Payne meant to her personally and to the entertainment industry as a whole.
Speaking about Payne’s character, she described him as someone with the biggest heart who brought joy wherever he went. “He was always the first person to offer help in any way he could,” she said. Ora asked everyone present to take a moment to remember Payne and reflect on the loss of their friend.
Ora shared that the team behind the EMAs had considered different ways to honor Payne but ultimately decided that a direct and heartfelt message would be the most meaningful. “Sometimes, just simply speaking is enough,” she said.
