Taylor Swift may well lead the nominations, but it was an array of home grown stars leading the glamour as the MTV Europe Music Awards got underway in Manchester on Sunday evening.
The English city is hosting the annual ceremony for the first time in its storied 29-year history, with Co-Op Live Arena chose as the appropriately cavernous venue for this year’s event.
Having already made history as the first person to host the MTV European Music Awards for the third time, Rita Ora claimed the red carpet as her own as she arrived alongside her filmmaker husband Taika Waititi, 49.
The singer, 33, who wore a dusty pink feathered gown, was joined by the equally glamorous Maya Jama, whose safety-pin embellished dress conjured images of Elizabeth Hurley‘s iconic Versace outfit from 1994.
The BRIT Award-winning singer Raye, 27, and radio presenter Vick Hope, 35, also ensured the fashion stakes were raised as guests made their way into the venue.
Having already made history as the first person to host the MTV European Music Awards for the third time, Rita Ora claimed the red carpet as her own as she arrived alongside husband Taika Waititi
Rita looked incredible in a pink feathered dress as she posed on the star-studded red carpet
Rita looked sensational in the light pink gown which was adorned with hundreds of feathers and featured a corset style top.
She boosted her height with huge starppy silk heels and wore her brunette tresses in a wavy style while opting for a glamorous makeup look.
Meanwhile Maya put on a jaw-dropping display as she arrived on the red carpet. The Love Island host, 30, commanded attention in a plunging black gown with a daringly high slit, showcasing her cleavage and toned legs.
Her racy dress boasted cut-outs, held together with giant gold safety pins, and almost identical to the iconic Versace number that shot Elizabeth Hurley to fame.
The actress, 59, went from an unknown star to making headlines around the world, when she wore the £3,000 plunging gown to the 1994 premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral, with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant.
And exactly three decades later, Maya brought the career-making gown back to the red carpet, ensuring she stood out from the crowd.
Raye put on a very animated display as she hit the red carpet. The British singer, who is nominated for Best UK & Ireland Act, Best Artist, and Best Live, posed up a storm in a quirky dark gold gown.
Raye’s dress hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure and boasted sparking bejewelled detailing and quirky hem.
Her filmmaker husband Taika, 49, wore a black suit and crisp white shirt as he held her hand
She wore her brunette tresses in a wavy style and opted for a glamorous makeup look
She looked in great spirits as she made her arrival
She packed on the PDA with her husband
Her makeup was as flawless as ever
Love Island host Maya, 30, commanded attention in a plunging black gown with a daringly high slit, showcasing her cleavage and toned legs
Her racy dress boasted cut-outs, held together with giant gold safety pins, and almost identical to the iconic Versace number that shot Elizabeth Hurley to fame
She wore her dark tresses in loose waves and opted for a glowing makeup look
She flashed her incredible legs in the racy number and boosted her height with strappy heels
And exactly three decades later, Maya brought the career-making gown back to the red carpet, ensuring she stood out from the crowd
She put on an animated display on the red carpet
She looked great in the black dress
She looked like she was having a great time
Styling her hair into it’s trademark 1950s style, she completed the look with dangling diamond earrings and a matching necklace.
Raye oozed confidence as she posed up a storm ahead of her performance to a crowd of 20K fans at the ceremony.
It comes after organisers were forced to cancel last year’s event in Paris due to security fears amid the Israel and Hamas war.
Taylor Swift leads the 2024 nominations with seven nods, while Raye, Shawn Mendes and Teddy Swims will be performing to the huge crowd of 20,000 fans.
During the show host Rita will also reportedly pay tribute to late pal and One Direction star Liam Payne, following the singer’s tragic death aged 31 last month.
The One Direction singer fell 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
A source claimed the tribute could range from a musical performance of Liam’s hits to a video looking back at his time in showbiz.
They told The Sun: ‘In the coming days they will start drawing up official plans. Officially Rita is yet to be announced, but she is hosting this year’s awards and will be involved in whatever MTV decides to do’.
‘She and Liam have been close for years and grew in the industry together. Obviously she is devastated by his passing’.
Pop superstar Taylor, who already has 15 MTV EMAs to her name, is up for Best Artist, Best Video, Best Pop, Best Live and Biggest Fans. She is also up for Best Collaboration for her single Fortnight with Post Malone, which has also scored a nod in the Best Video category for her 11th studio album The Tortured Poets Department.
Vick looked incredible in a white bodice style dress and ruched skirt
She boosted her height with strappy silver heels and posed up a storm
She wore a silver band on her arm
Raye, 27, looked sensational as she hit the red carpet at the event
The British singer, who is nominated for Best UK & Ireland Act, Best Artist, and Best Live, posed up a storm in a quirky dark gold gown
Raye’s dress hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure and boasted sparking bejewelled detailing and quirky hem
It comes after a great week for Raye after she received her first ever Grammy nomination
She accessorised with silver jewellery
Jodie Turner-Smith wore an incredible structured blue gown and dramatic hat
She dazzled in the number which had in built gloves
She made sure all eyes were on her as she arrived
She showed off her incredible fashion sense
And was adorned with diamond jewellery
The stars were out in force for the MTV European Music Awards held at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Sunday night – including Gemma Atkinson
Gemma led the early arrivals to the event as she posed on the red carpet in a busty black leather dress
The former actress and glamour model, 39, completed her look with a matching long coat worn over her shoulders and boosted her height with stiletto heels
She put on a confident display in the cleavage-baring dress which had buckle detailing on the straps
South African singer Tyla, 22, also made quite the impression as she arrived in a black and blue thigh-split dress with a quirky fur trim
She wore tall strappy heels and accessorised with statement silver jewellery as she worked her best angles for the camera
She looked incredible in the blue and black dress
Leomie Anderson looked every inch the supermodel in a tasseled red dress
She showed off her incredible legs in the red and white outfit
She wore her dark tresses in perfect curls and opted for a glowing makeup look
Katherine Ryan, 41, made a rare red carpet appearance with her daughter Violet, 15, at the event
The comedian, 41, put on a very busty display in a long sleeved black dress which featured mesh and sparkly silver paneling
Violet, who also joined as her mum’s plus one at the BAFTA TV Awards back in May, opted for a sparkly black dress and matching shimmery ankle boots
The star posed for a fun snap with Jedward
Mabel rocked a quirky checked dress as she joined her chic mum Neneh Cherry on the red carpet
The songstress, 28, looked as stylish as ever in the high-neck number as she joined her Swedish singer mum Neneh, 60, arriving at the event
Mabel has followed her mum into music and the pair looked in great spirits as they put on an animated display arriving for the event together
They were having a great time together at the event
Olly Alexander wore an all-black ensemble
English professional footballer Chloe Kelly opted for a leggy ensemble
She wore a tiny skirt and matching bralet
Love Island’s Molly Marsh wore a red glitzy maxi dress
She has made her moves into the music industry since leaving the show
Aaron Taylor-Johnson looked as dapper as always in a dark red suit
Shawn Mendes wore a dapper black suit and white shirt
He added a red poppy for Remembrance Sunday
Yet she faces stiff competition on the night as Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter all scored five nominations each, appearing in categories such as Best Song, Best Video and Best Artist.
Closely following with four nominations each are Ayra Starr, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, LISA, plus first-time nominees Chappell Roan and Tyla.
There are 19 nominees have the chance to score their first ever MTV EMA at this year’s show, including: Kehlani and Tinashe in the Best R&B category, Disclosure and Fred Again.. for Best Electronic, Fontaines D.C. for Best Alternative, The Last Dinner Party for Best New and BTS’ Jimin for Best K-Pop, which marks his first nomination as a solo artist.
Elsewhere, MTV Push’s finest battle it out in the Best Push category, which features Flyana Boss, Laufey, Shaboozey, The Warning, Victoria Monét, as well as LE SSERAFIM and Teddy Swims, who are also up for Best New.
With the MTV EMAs headed to Manchester, there is even more anticipation in store for fans in the city, as Liam Gallagher goes head to head with Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Green Day, Kings of Leon, Lenny Kravitz and The Killers in the Best Rock category.
Speaking ahead of the event host Rita said: ‘I’m over the moon that I get to be back with my MTV family hosting the EMAs for the third time!
‘The EMAs stage has become like another home for me, and this year’s show in Manchester is going to be absolutely incredible!
Benson Boone wore a brown tweed suit with no shirt
Edward and John Grimes of Jedward wore matching glitzy suits
Pregnant Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby wore a tight black gown
She arrived with her fiancé Jake Ankers
The tight dress showed off her blossoming bump
Busta Rhymes wore a cow print co-ord
Busta Rhymes and Mona Scott attend the MTV Europe Music Awards
Shaun Ryder and Bez looked in good spirits as they arrived
Bimini attends the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live
Vas J Morgan looked smart in all black
Kyle Christie and James Tindale are both former cast members of Geordie Shore and were at the event
Becca Dudley wore a leggy black dress
Harriet Rose during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024
Rita posed in a group shot
‘We’ve got an amazing lineup of music performances and plenty of surprises in store. We’re all ‘mad fer it!’.’
One of the biggest global music events celebrates the world’s most iconic artists, bringing fans a unique, multi-platform experience across MTV’s global network in nearly 150 countries.
The 2024 MTV EMAs will broadcast at 9pm GMT Sunday, November 10 on MTV UK, Channel 5 and Pluto TV.
The awards, sponsored by Cetaphil for Sensitive Skin and Paramount+, will be available on demand on Paramount+ from November 12.