MTV EMAs: Eight bits of gossip we uncovered on the night

The MTV Europe Music Awards, commonly known as the MTV EMAs, made their debut in Manchester, England, on a Sunday night, marking a significant milestone in the event's 30-year history. The atmosphere was electric as fans gathered to celebrate their favorite artists, but the event felt somewhat disconnected from its Mancunian roots. Notably absent were local legends like Take That, Aitch, and Liam Gallagher, despite Gallagher winning the award for best rock star. The organizers made a few subtle nods to the city, such as framing the stage in the iconic black and yellow stripes of Factory Records and playing New Order's classic 'Blue Monday' during nominee announcements. However, the focus of the night was more global, showcasing talents from Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and America. Taylor Swift, who won the two biggest awards of the night for best artist and video of the year, chose to attend virtually, opting to support her boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, as he led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory against the Denver Broncos. Among the many highlights of the evening was Raye, a rising star in the music industry, who took a moment on the red carpet to share her recent misfortune. Just two weeks prior, Raye's car had been stolen, along with several notebooks filled with her lyrics and song ideas. She expressed her disappointment, stating, 'I've just had to let it go. ' Raye explained that the act of writing down her ideas helped her think creatively, and losing them felt like a significant loss. Despite the setback, she maintained a positive outlook, saying, 'Everything happens for a reason. I'll have to start again and maybe it's a blessing in disguise. ' Another memorable moment came from rap legend Busta Rhymes, who received a global icon award during the ceremony. His presence in Manchester was not as random as it might have seemed; he shared fond memories of spending summers with his Aunt Velma in Morecambe as a child. Busta reminisced about his experiences, saying, 'I went to karate school, and we illegally went into nightclubs, to make a little money break-dancing. ' He fondly recalled the music of his youth, mentioning Boy George and Wham, but added, 'Our favorite was Benny Hill. Benny Hill is still our favorite to this day. ' Reflecting on his journey in hip-hop, he remarked, 'You can never foresee something like that. When we first got involved with hip-hop, we didn't do it for none of the accolades. We just did it because we loved it. ' His acceptance speech was heartfelt, thanking everyone who had supported him throughout his career. 'I’ve never got an award from MTV before. Thirty-four years of professionally recording and this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV. It feels incredible. ' Olly Alexander, known for his role in the band Years & Years, also made an appearance at the EMAs. He had performed at a pre-show party the night before and was pleasantly surprised by the positive reception of his song 'Dizzy,' which had previously earned him 18th place at the Eurovision Song Contest. He humorously noted, 'That went down a lot better than it did in Eurovision,' just before the chaotic arrival of Jedward, who added their own brand of fun to the event. During the main ceremony, Olly presented the award for song of the year to Sabrina Carpenter for her hit 'Espresso. ' He also offered some advice to future UK Eurovision contestants, saying, 'I would say to them, whoever it is, 'Call me, and we will have a serious conversation about it. ' The night was filled with excitement and surprises, including a stunning performance by Benson Boone, who opened the ceremony while suspended mid-air on a grand piano. He won the award for best new artist and shared a laugh about the crazy insurance involved in such stunts, saying, 'The insurance is always crazy, but I love to perform. ' Bez, a member of the Happy Mondays, was in awe of Benson's performance, expressing his admiration during an interview with Rita Ora. The K-Pop group Le Sserafim also made waves at the event, as they performed in the UK for the first time. The members were thrilled to explore Manchester, even visiting the Christmas market before their performance. Huh Yun-Jin, one of the singers, shared her excitement, saying, 'It was so good, we had baklava! ' Another member, Sakura, enjoyed her first taste of fish and chips, exclaiming, 'I loved it. ' Their performance at the EMAs received one of the loudest cheers of the night, proving that they made a strong impression despite being relatively unknown in the UK. 'Coming to Europe is something that we've always dreamt of, so this is absolutely surreal,' Yun-Jin said. Jedward, the iconic twin duo, took the red carpet by storm, engaging with international press for an impressive two hours. They declared, 'Oasis are back and Jedward are back! ' while entertaining bewildered journalists from Germany and France. The twins, who gained fame on The X Factor, insisted that 'a lot of artists have been inspired by Jedward. ' They even shared motivational advice, with John saying, 'You have to think about it, in life. Don't always think you're the main character. Reach out to other people. ' Edward added, 'It's always about keeping that spark alive. ' Their infectious energy made them a highlight of the night. The event also included a heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne, who had won numerous MTV EMAs during his time with One Direction. Rita Ora, a close friend of Liam's, spoke emotionally about his legacy, saying, 'Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. ' She shared her memories of him, emphasizing the joy he brought to those around him. The tribute was a poignant reminder of Liam's impact on the music industry. Lastly, Tyla, a South African artist known for her viral hit 'Water,' won both the best R&B and best Afrobeats awards. She paid homage to her inspirations by wearing a vintage dress that had previously belonged to Aaliyah, a legendary singer who tragically passed away at a young age. Tyla's tribute highlighted the importance of honoring those who paved the way for future artists. The MTV EMAs were a night filled with unforgettable moments, laughter, and heartfelt tributes.