Rita Ora Pays Emotional Tribute To Liam Payne At The MTV EMAs

Rita Ora tearfully honored Liam Payne at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards. While hosting the annual ceremony in Manchester, England, on Nov. 10, Ora said she wanted to “take a moment to remember” the late singer.

“We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home, and everybody in here tonight,” said Ora, who collaborated with Payne on the 2018 song “For You.”

She continued, “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. So let’s just take a moment to remember our friend Liam.”

MTV then broadcast a memorial tribute to Payne, which read, “MTV remembers Liam Payne 1993–2024,” along with photos and videos of the singer.

Payne passed away on Oct. 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Along with his parents and two sisters, he is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he welcomed with Cheryl Cole in 2017.

Ora’s Emotional Tributes To Payne

Shortly after his death, Ora took to Instagram to pay tribute to the singer — as did Payne’s One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.

“I’m devastated. 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,” Ora wrote. “This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones.”

Just a few hours after the news of his death broke, Ora performed their duet, “For You,” during a concert in Osaka, Japan.

While performing the song, which was featured on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, a visibly emotional Ora began to cry. “I can’t even sing this right now. Can you sing this for me?” she told the audience, as a photograph of herself and Payne appeared on the screen behind her.