Rita Ora Delivers Emotional Tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards

Rita Ora paid a heartfelt and emotional tribute to her late friend Liam Payne during the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards held in Manchester, England. Ora, who hosted the ceremony, took a moment to remember Payne, who passed away on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Ora, who collaborated with Payne on the song “For You” for the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, described him as “one of the kindest people” she had ever known. She highlighted his big heart and his willingness to help others, saying, “He had the biggest heart and 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.”

The tribute was deeply emotional, with Ora choking up as she spoke about Payne. The ceremony included a video montage and an in memoriam clip featuring black-and-white photos and videos of the late musician, along with a snippet of One Direction‘s track “Night Changes.”

This was not the first time Ora had honored Payne since his death. She had previously broken down in tears while performing their collaborative song “For You” at a concert in Osaka, Japan, just hours after the news of his passing broke.

Authorities have ruled out suicide in Payne’s death, and toxicology results showed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system. Three people, including a hotel employee, have been charged in connection with his death.