Rita Ora has been confirmed as the host of the 2024 MTV European Music Awards, and she will reportedly honour beloved late pal and One Direction star Liam Payne, following the singer’s tragic death aged 31 earlier this month.
The British singer, 33, will be presenting the epic annual award ceremony for the third time and admitted to be ‘over the moon’ with the job.
This year’s EMAs have been hotly anticipated anticipated after they were cancelled last year due to ‘safety concerns’ – and will take place in Manchester.
The city’s Co-op Live Arena will be home to some of the biggest names in the music industry – with Rita being the award’s first three-time host.
The acclaimed songwriter – who was born in Kosovo – couldn’t contain her excitement and said thrilled: ‘I’m over the moon that I get to be back with my MTV family hosting the EMAs for the third time!
Rita Ora has been confirmed as the host of the 2024 MTV European Music Awards, and she will reportedly honour beloved late pal and One Direction star Liam Payne
Rita will reportedly honour beloved late pal and One Direction star Liam Payne, following the singer’s tragic death aged 31 earlier this month (Rita and Liam are pictured in 2018)
‘The EMAs stage has become like another home for me, and this year’s show in Manchester is going to be absolutely incredible!
‘We’ve got an amazing lineup of music performances and plenty of surprises in store. We’re all ‘mad fer it!’.’
The acclaimed songwriter was praised for her ‘infectious energy’ by Paramount bosses.
Bruce Gillmer, the President of Paramount and Chief Content Officer of Paramount+: ‘The MTV EMAs are taking over Manchester and we can’t think of a better way to supersize this global music event than by bringing back fan-favorite, Rita Ora.’
‘Rita’s infectious energy and talent are undeniable, and we’re absolutely certain she will elevate the show to new highs for fans around the world.’
The 2024 MTV EMAs will broadcast live at 9pm GMT Sunday 10th November on MTV UK, Channel 5 and Pluto TV across the globe and will be available on demand on Paramount+ from 12th November.
Fans can vote for their favourites across categories including Best Song, Best Artist, Best Collaboration at www.mtvema.com until 00:00 CET on November 6.
The Biggest Fans winners will also be voted for at a later date on social via @MTVEMA.
The award ceremony will take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena (pictured) and will broadcast live at 9pm GMT Sunday 10th November on MTV UK, Channel 5 and Pluto TV
The 2024 MTV EMAs is sponsored by Meerchat from Compare the Market, Cetaphil for Sensitive Skin, Hotels.com and Paramount+.
One of the biggest global music events that celebrates the world’s most iconic artists, the MTV EMAs bring fans a unique, multi-platform experience across MTV’s global network in nearly 150 countries.
The Europe Music Awards are set to return booming after fans were left in shock when last year’s edition was cancelled almost last minute due to security fears and the ‘volatility of world events’.
The last time celeb graced the glitzy red carpet and stage of the annual awards was in 2022, and took place at Dusseldorf’s PSD Bank Dome.
Rita was once again the dazzling star of the night, taking the lead as a host as she was joined by her beloved husband Taika Waititi.
The Poison singer couldn’t miss the occasion to sizzle in a slew of different – but all equally glamorous – outfits.
On the red carpet she turned up the heat in a very plunging sheer gown with floral details which left very little to the imagination, while Taika, 49, looked dapper in a suit.
Earlier this week, The Sun reported Rita will be paying a heartfelt tribute to her dear late friend Liam Payne – after she was left devastated by the loss.
The One Direction singer fell 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
A source claimed the tribute could range from a musical perfomance of Liam’s hits to a video looking back at his time in showbiz.
Telling 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’.
MailOnline have contacted MTV and Rita Ora’s for comment.
Rita and Liam duetted together on the 2018 song For You, as the songstress took to her Instagram to remember the beloved the 1D favourite
Rita and Liam duetted together on the 2018 song For You, and following news of his death she said: ‘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.’
It comes after Liam was given a special mention on Saturday evening as this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were named in Cleveland, Ohio.
While an investigation into the events leading up to huis death is ongoing, the British singer was included among the annual event’s memorials at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
An image of Payne, taken during his early days with One Direction, was projected into the auditorium, prompting wild cheers from those in attendance.
Police found drugs in his room including ‘cristal’, a potent hallucinogenic that causes blackouts and psychotic episodes.
A source told MailOnline: ‘Where did Liam get the drugs when he had no money?’
The source also revealed:
- Liam had been ‘re-working’ his favorite One Direction track ‘Fireproof’ on his computer just hours before his death.
- He was in Argentina to renew his US visa and had passed medical and psychological tests days before which proved he was ‘totally clean.’
- He was in ‘good spirits’ and had been planning to fly back home to girlfriend Kate Cassidy in Miami on Friday.
- His final meal was his favourite, chocolate-chip cookies.
Multiple police sources have said investigators believe someone in the hotel supplied him with drugs.
There have been unconfirmed reports that the hotel conducted an internal probe and fired at least one employee.
Liam arrived in Argentina on September 30 with his girlfriend Kate and close friend Roger Nores.