Rita Ora delivered an emotional tribute to Liam Payne at the MTV EMAs last night, as the evening paused to remember the late musician.
Music stars from across the world attended the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester, England, last night.
The evening was full of amazing performances and awards, with Taylor Swift making history as the first artist to win the EMA for Best Artist three times.
Arguably, the most notable moment of the evening came when everyone paused to remember former One Direction member Liam Payne.
As you're probably aware, Payne tragically fell to his death from a third-floor balcony in Argentina in October.
His sudden passing sent shockwaves across the world as family, friends, and colleagues still grapple with the loss of the 31-year-old.
Rita Ora, who co-hosted the event, paused the high-energy ceremony to remember Payne, with whom she collaborated on the 2018 hit 'For You', calling him "one of the kindest people that I knew."
“I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us,” she said to the audience.
“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.”
Ora continued, visibly emotional: "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 this world. So let's just take a moment to remember our friend."
She then introduced a touching video tribute featuring photos of Payne alongside a clip of One Direction’s song 'Night Changes'.
In regards to Payne's passing, it was reported that two hotel staff members and an Argentine businessman, believed to have been an acquaintance of Payne, were arrested recently.
The prosecutor in charge, Andres Esteban Madrea, released a statement indicating that the detained individuals face charges of “abandonment of a person followed by death, supply, and facilitation of narcotics,” according to Sky News.
As part of the investigation, Payne’s body remained in Argentina for an autopsy and toxicology testing before being released to his family for repatriation to the UK for his funeral.
Floral tributes, balloons, photos, and messages from fans have been left outside a church where his funeral is reportedly planned to take place, while fan-organized memorials have taken place globally in tribute to the late artist.
Fans have been urged not to attend the funeral to allow Payne's loved ones space to grieve.