Swift, who is wrapping up her Eras tour on the other side of the Atlantic, thanked her admirers for the multitude of awards via video message.
The British televised ceremony began with Benson Boone suspended in the air on a golden grand piano performing his viral song “Beautiful Things” and his latest track “Slow it Down.” Boone also accepted his first EMA for Best New Artist.
South African newcomer Tyla gave Swift a run for her money by winning three awards for Best Afrobeats, Best R&B and Best African Artist.
Tyla performed her hit ‘Water’ for the EMA audience at Co-op Live in Manchester, flanked by a crowd of dancers, as well as energetic new track ‘Push 2 Start’.
British singer Rita Ora, who was hosting the show for a record third time, paid tribute to former One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires.
Ora had a close relationship with the singer and the duo recorded a song together in 2018, “For You (Fifty Shades Freed).” She addressed the audience, saying, “I want to take a moment to remember someone. Liam Payne was one of the nicest people I knew. Her voice cracked as she asked the audience to take a moment to remember Liam, saying: “He had the biggest heart and he left such a mark on this world.”
Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes received the EMAs Global Icon Award from British rapper Little Simz, telling the crowd that in 34 years of professional recording, it was his first award from MTV and it was incredible. The 12-time Grammy Award-nominated singer, who has sold more than 10 million albums, performed a set of his biggest hits “Break ya Neck,” “Touch it” and “Put Your Hands Where the Eyes can See », accompanied by dancers wearing tracksuits with giant dragon heads.
Shawn Mendes gave an intimate and heartfelt performance and also received the award for Best Canadian Artist. Sabrina Carpenter won best song honors for her hit “Espresso,” while Ariana Grande was crowned best pop performance and Eminem won best hip-hop artist.
British duo Pet Shop Boys were honored with the inaugural Pop Pioneers Award for their contribution to pop Music and closed the show accompanied by local orchestra Manchester Camerata with a cover of David Bowie’s ‘All the Young Dudes’, followed by their iconic song “West End Girls” to celebrate the song’s 40th anniversary.
Other artists at the party included K-pop group Le Sserafim, Mexican singer and rapper Peso Pluma, English singer and songwriter Raye, American singer Teddy Swims, and Mexican rock sisters The Warning.
LL Cool J, Bush singer Gavin Rossdale, mother and daughter musicians Neneh Cherry and Mabel, and TV and film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount all presented awards.
