Rita Ora tearfully remembers Liam Payne in MTV EMAs tribute
The pair released 'For You' together back in 2018
Last updated 11th Nov 2024
Over the weekend, Rita Ora hosted the MTV European Music Awards (EMAs), which took place in Manchester. It was the third time Rita has hosted the prestigious ceremony, and the first time it has taken place in the UK since 2017.
The annual ceremony was a celebration of music, which saw six-time BRIT Award-winner RAYE add to her awards with MTV EMAs for Best UK and Ireland Act, while Taylor Swift accepted the awards for The Best Live, Best Video and Best Artist via a pre-recorded video message.
Busta Rhymes was also honoured with the Global Icon Award, and Sabrina Carpenter won Best Song for Espresso.
However, it was towards the of the ceremony, when the upbeat nature of the event became emotional as Rita Ora paid tribute to her friend and collaborator Liam Payne, who passed away last month after falling from a hotel balcony.
The singer told the audience: “I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us. 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.
“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew... 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 the world."
Struggling to hold back tears, Rita continued: "So, let's take a moment to remember our friend Liam." An image of Liam was then shown on screens in the arena.
Rita and the former One Direction star teamed up to release their 2018 song 'For You', which featured in the film Fifty Shades Freed. The song was very popular and became a Top 10 hit around the world.
Later this month, Rita will be returning to Manchester's Co-op Live Arena for our Hits Radio Live gig. Tickets are now sold out for our Manchester gig, however some tickets are still available for Hits Radio Live Birmingham, which takes place on Friday 22nd November 2024. The line-up includes Tom Grennan, Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Sigala, Joel Corry, Ella Henderson, Tom Walker and Sugababes.
Get your tickets here for Friday 22nd November 2024 Hits Radio Live Birmingham at the bp pulse LIVE arena
Take a look at Rita Ora through the years:
2012: Rita Ora
Rita Ora's breakthrough song was 'Hot Right Now' with DJ Fresh. The song debuted at the top of the UK charts when it was released in February 2012.
2012: Rita Ora gets a Number 1 album with 'Ora'
Rita Ora gets a Number 1 album in the UK with her debut album 'Ora'. Rita released four Top 20 songs from her album including 'How We Do (Party)', 'R.I.P.', 'Shine Ya Light' and 'Radioactive'.
2013: Rita Ora at the BRITs
In 2013, Rita Ora was nominated for three BRIT Awards: British Breakthrough Act and British Single of the Year for both 'R.I.P' and 'Hot Right Now'.
2015: Rita Ora in Fifty Shades of Grey
In 2015, Rita appeared as Mia Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey. After her first appearance in 2015, she reprised her role in the sequels Fifty Shades Darker (2017), and Fifty Shades Freed (2018).
2017: Rita releases new music
In 2017, Rita released her first solo single in nearly two years, 'Your Song', which peaked at Number 7 in the UK, followed by 'Anywhere' a couple of months later which went to Number 2.
2018: Rita teams up with Liam Payne
Rita starred in Fifty Shades Freed following her role in the first film, and released a collab with Liam Payne called 'For You' which featured on the film's soundtrack and was a Top 10 hit in the UK.
2019: Rita Ora and Thomas Sabo
Rita wore a metallic dress for the launch of her collection with Thomas Sabo in July 2019. For two seasons, Rita was the official global ambassador for Thomas Sabo.
2020: Rita releases 'How To Be Lonely' penned by Lewis Capaldi
Rita released 'How To Be Lonely' written by Lewis Capaldi in March 2020. The singer tweeted at the time: 'To my friends. The past year has felt like the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new and exciting one! I'm so excited to release my new single 'How To Be Lonely', a song that I'm very proud of. I've loved working with Lewis on this track and it's been a lot of fun. He's a great talent and a man of the moment and I really connected with the lyrics when he originally sent it to me.' Of course, this turned out to be an ironic song name given that the world went into lockdown with COVID-19 a couple of weeks after the release of this song!
2020: The Masked Singer team
Rita Ora was a judge on The Masked Singer UK in 2020. She was joined by Ken Jeong, Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross. Rita went on to appear on five series of the bonkers show, with bosses confirming Maya Jama will replace her for the sixth series due to air in 2024.
2022: Beauty and the Beast prequel series!
In February 2022, Rita Ora announced that she would be joining the 'fairytale world' of Beauty and the Beast, revealing that she will be starring in the upcoming Disney+ prequel series. Sadly soon after her announcement, it was decided that the series would not be made.
2022: Rita Ora has been confirmed for a part in Tin Soldier
Rita Ora has joined the cast of Tin Soldier an action film starring Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro. The news was announced in June 2022 when she posted some photos on Twitter with her alongside Jamie Foxx and the film's director Brad Furman.
2022: Rita Ora plays Wandering Blade in Kung Fu Panda (series)
Rita Ora played the role of Wandering Blade (right), an English knight in Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, the Netflix series, also starring Jack Black as Po (the panda). After a successful first series, Rita returned to reprise her role in the second series in 2023.
2022: Rita Ora announced for The Pocketwatch
Rita Ora was announced as the Queen of Hearts in the new Disney film The Pocketwatch (working title). The new film will also star Brandy. Filming started in February 2023.
2023: Rita Ora announces comeback song
In January 2023, Rita Ora announced a new song from her upcoming third album. The song is called 'You Only Love Me' and will be released in January.
2023: Rita appears on Love Island
Although Rita hasn't appeared as a contestant on ITV2 show Love Island, the singer did appear as a special guest, performing for the Islanders during the Summer series in 2023. Rita performed a number of her biggest hits at the beach club party, before singing her song 'Praising You'.
2023: Rita releases her third studio album
On 14th July 2023, Rita Ora released her hugely-antipcated third studio album called 'You & I'. The album is made up of 12 singles, including 'Praising You' featuring Fat Boy Slim.
2023: Rita launches a collection with Primark
Rita launched her first fashion collection with Primark. The singer said she drew inspiration from her childhood when creating the range, which had been two years in the making. The collection featured 169 pieces, including jewellery, tailored pieces and faux fur coats. Rita has since released two more collections with Primark; the latest arriving in stores on 10th September 2024.
2024: Rita teases new music with studio snaps
Taking to her socials in March 2024, Rita shared a series of studio snaps, teasing fans that new music was on the way with the caption: 'Pick your studio angle… 🎵 😎 I couldn't decide…🙄🤷🏼♀️'. In the series of photos shared by Rita, she can be seen standing in a studio surrounded by instruments, including several keyboards and guitars. The last two photos show her in the bathroom taking a mirror selfie, showing off her outfit.
Now read:
18 things you probably didn't know about singer Rita Ora 🎶
Rita Ora's biggest career moments so far 🙌
Liam Payne has died aged 31 after a fall from Argentina hotel