Taylor Swift Wins Big and Rita Ora Pays Tribute to Liam Payne at MTV EMAs

 Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
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Taylor Swift Wins Big and Rita Ora Pays Tribute to Liam Payne at MTV EMAs

 Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)

Taylor Swift came out on top at the 2024 MTV EMAs on Sunday, walking away with best artist, best US act, best live act and best video for “Fortnight” (featuring Post Malone).

Swift, who is finishing up her Eras tour on the other side of the Atlantic, thanked the fans for the bounty of prizes via video message.

The UK show opened with an acrobatic Benson Boone suspended in the air on a gold grand piano performing his viral hit “Beautiful Things” and latest release “Slow it Down.” Boone also accepted his first EMA for best new act.

South African newcomer Tyla gave Swift a run for her money picking up three awards for best afrobeats, best R&B and best African act.

Tyla performed her smash hit “Water” for the EMA audience at the Co-op Live, Manchester, flanked by a host of dancers, as well as singing energetic new track “Push 2 Start.”

British singer Rita Ora, who hosted 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 pair 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 kindest people I knew.” Her voice broke as she asked the crowd 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 was awarded the EMAs global icon award from British rapper Little Simz telling the crowd that in 34 years of professionally recording this was his first award from MTV and it felt incredible. The 12-time Grammy Award nominee, who has more than 10 million album sales under his belt, performed a mega medley of his greatest 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 act. Sabrina Carpenter picked up the honors for best song for her hit “Espresso,” while Ariana Grande was crowned best pop act and Eminem took away best hip hop act.

UK duo Pet Shop Boys were honored with the inaugural Pop Pioneers Award for their contribution to pop music and closed out the show accompanied by local orchestra Manchester Camerata with a cover of David Bowie’s “All the Young Dudes” followed by their iconic hit “West End Girls” in celebration of the song’s 40th anniversary.

Other performers on the night included K-Pop quintet Le Sserafim, Mexican singer and rapper Peso Pluma, English singer and songwriter Raye, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Mendes, American powerhouse Teddy Swims, Mexican rock sisters the Warning.

LL Cool J, Bush frontman 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.



Jeddah Historic District Program Set to Host Red Sea International Film Festival in December

Held under the theme "The New Home of Film", the festival will take place for the first time in the Culture Square of Jeddah Historic District. (SPA)
Held under the theme "The New Home of Film", the festival will take place for the first time in the Culture Square of Jeddah Historic District. (SPA)
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Jeddah Historic District Program Set to Host Red Sea International Film Festival in December

Held under the theme "The New Home of Film", the festival will take place for the first time in the Culture Square of Jeddah Historic District. (SPA)
Held under the theme "The New Home of Film", the festival will take place for the first time in the Culture Square of Jeddah Historic District. (SPA)

The Jeddah Historic District Program, affiliated with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, will host the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) from December 5 to 14.

Held under the theme "The New Home of Film", the festival will take place for the first time in the Culture Square of Jeddah Historic District, providing a unique setting for artists and culture enthusiasts.

The Culture Square features cinema halls, a theater, and service facilities, along with the teamLab Borderless Jeddah Art Museum, a digital art museum. Situated by Lake Al-Arbaeen, the square offers scenic views of the surroundings.

As part of its commitment to preserving heritage and promoting cultural creativity, the program has transformed the square into a cultural landmark while retaining the area's architectural essence. This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goal aiming to establish the area as a global cultural hub.

At this year's festival 120 films from 81 countries will be screened, including 48 world premieres, 66 Arab movies, 34 Saudi films, 54 short films, and 63 feature films.

Moreover, 36 filmmakers will vie for awards, and 38 outstanding film and television projects will be featured at the Red Sea Souk Project Market, highlighting a variety of storytelling styles and talents from across the globe.