Manchester rolls out red carpet for MTV Awards

This Sunday, Manchester will host the MTV Europe Music Awards, a highly anticipated event in the music industry. Rita Ora is set to return as the host for the third time, and the star-studded lineup includes popular artists like Shawn Mendes, Raye, and South African singer Tyla. This year marks the first time the awards are being held in the UK since 2017, and local hero Liam Gallagher is among the nominees. Leading the nominations is Taylor Swift, who has received an impressive seven nominations, including best artist and best video for her collaboration with Post Malone on the song 'Fortnight. ' Last year, Taylor was also nominated for seven awards, but the ceremony was canceled due to the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war. Other notable nominees include American singers Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan, as well as British acts like Adele, Coldplay, and Central Cee. However, some of the biggest stars, including Eilish and Swift, are currently on tour outside the UK and may not be able to attend the event. The awards will take place at the Co-op Live arena and will be broadcast in the UK on MTV and Pluto TV starting at 21:00 GMT on Sunday, with Channel 5 airing the event at 22:00 GMT. 1) Taylor Swift and Beyoncé could break records. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are two of the most celebrated artists in the history of the MTV Awards. In September, Taylor made history by becoming the most awarded artist at the American MTV Awards, with a total of 30 trophies. However, in Europe, she is still chasing the record held by Justin Bieber, who has 22 MTV EMA honors. If Taylor wins all seven awards she is nominated for, she will tie with Bieber. Additionally, she has the chance to become the first artist to win best artist three times, as she is currently tied with Shawn Mendes, who has won the award twice. On the other hand, Beyoncé is also in the running to make history by winning song of the year three times, but her song 'Texas Hold 'Em' faces tough competition from Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' and Chapel Roan's 'Good Luck, Babe. ' 2) Busta Rhymes is going back to his roots. Busta Rhymes, one of the most successful hip-hop artists of all time, will receive a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony. Although he hails from Brooklyn, he has a unique connection to the UK. When he was just 11 years old, he spent two summers living with his Aunt Velma in Morecambe. He shared, 'I'd never seen a white and a black person go to school together until I came here. ' Busta Rhymes is known for his rapid-fire rap style and is expected to perform a medley of his greatest hits, including 'Break Ya Neck' and 'Woo-Hah! Got You All In Check. ' He expressed his gratitude for receiving the global icon prize, stating that it is a celebration of both his career and hip-hop culture. 3) A tribute to Liam Payne is rumored. Liam Payne, who was a member of the famous boy band One Direction, tragically passed away last month in Argentina after falling from a hotel balcony. There are reports suggesting that the MTV Awards will include a tribute to him. Liam won 12 MTV EMAs as part of One Direction and later launched his solo career at the 2017 ceremony, where he performed his hit song 'Strip That Down. ' If the tribute goes ahead, Rita Ora is likely to lead the remembrance, as she collaborated with him on the song 'For You. ' Last month, she became emotional while performing 'For You' in Japan, expressing her grief over Liam's passing. 4) Le Sserafim make their UK debut. The K-pop group Le Sserafim has had an incredible year, performing at the Coachella festival and topping the US album sales chart. Now, they are set to make their live debut in the UK at the EMAs, where they are nominated for three awards, including best new artist. The band members expressed their excitement about performing in England, stating that it has always been on their bucket list. 5) Pet Shop Boys go orchestral. The Pet Shop Boys will receive the inaugural 'pop pioneers' award at the EMAs, recognizing their significant contributions to the world of pop music. This award comes as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut single, 'West End Girls. ' Over the years, they have achieved 22 top 10 hits in the UK, including four number ones, and they will perform a special set backed by the Manchester Camerata orchestra. 6) A few surprises? The MTV Awards are known for their unexpected moments and show-stopping performances. In the past, there have been many memorable entrances and performances that have left audiences in awe. This year, with performances from artists like Raye, Mendes, Tyla, and others, fans can expect some exciting surprises. The full list of nominees features a diverse range of talented artists, and it will be thrilling to see who takes home the coveted awards.