At the MTV European Music Awards on Sunday night, Rita Ora paid an emotional tribute to the late Liam Payne, who passed away tragically a month earlier in Buenos Aires. Taking the stage, Ora began with heartfelt words: “I want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us. We lost him recently, and he was a significant part of both the MTV world and my world.”
“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people I knew," she continued. "We discussed many ways to honor him, and sometimes, simply speaking about him is enough.” Ora concluded her tribute by saying, “He had the biggest heart and was always the first to offer help in any way he could. He brought joy to every room he entered, leaving a lasting mark on this world.”
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Rita Ora pays tribute to Liam Payne during tonight's #MTVEMAs2024. 🕊️
— Remembering Liam Payne (@updatingljp) November 10, 2024
"Liam Payne was one of the kindness people that I knew. [..] He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could." pic.twitter.com/pp2wqyOMTf
Payne, who was 31, died on October 16 after falling from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires. Investigators confirmed he was alone in the room at the time, and reports indicated he had “traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant.” Three individuals have been charged in connection with his death, facing accusations of “abandonment of a person followed by death” and “supplying and facilitating narcotics,” according to the Associated Press.
The MTV European Music Awards showcased top artists like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Taylor Swift competing for awards, with performances by Tyla, Busta Rhymes, and Shawn Mendes. Watch Ora’s heartfelt tribute to Payne below, and stay updated on Rita Ora's latest news with Waza Entertainment.