Rita Ora delivered a poignant tribute to the late Liam Payne during her hosting duties at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) held at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on Sunday.

In a simple yet elegant black suit, Ora took a moment to honor Payne, who tragically passed away on October 16 at the age of 31. "I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us," she told the audience, her voice filled with emotion.

Ora reflected on Payne's immense impact, stating, "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." The crowd responded with loud cheers, showing their support for her heartfelt words.

"There were so many ways that we were talking about honoring him and, I think, sometimes just simply speaking is enough," she continued, struggling to hold back tears. "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."

As her voice trembled, Ora urged everyone to pause in remembrance of their friend, Liam. A tribute video featuring the former One Direction member subsequently played, accompanied by a heartfelt rendition of the band's song "Night Changes."

Payne’s untimely death has raised questions surrounding the circumstances, as three individuals are facing preliminary charges connected to the incident following his fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Rita Ora and Liam Payne had a successful collaboration in 2018, releasing "For You," which was featured on the soundtrack of the film "Fifty Shades Freed." The song made its mark by climbing to number 8 on the UK singles chart.

In a display of raw emotion, Ora struggled to sing “For You” during her Tokyo concert shortly after the news of Payne's passing. "I can’t even sing this right now," she admitted, showcasing the deep personal toll his loss had on her.

This year’s EMAs celebrated an array of talent, with Taylor Swift taking home the award for Best Artist, Raye winning Best UK & Ireland Act, and Sabrina Carpenter clinching Best Song for "Espresso." Among the rising stars, Benson Boone was recognized as Best New Artist, and Tyla won Best R&B.

As the music industry continues to mourn the loss of Liam Payne, the impact of his kindness and talent remains indelible—a heartfelt reminder of the light he brought to many lives.