Pop megastar Taylor Swift triumphed at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday, taking home four trophies during the ceremony in Manchester, England. She won Best Artist, Best Video for her collaboration with Post Malone on “Fortnight,” Best Live, and Best U.S. Act. In a pre-recorded message, Swift expressed her gratitude to fans, calling it an incredible honor to receive four awards. “Thank you for recognizing my work and supporting the tour so much,” she said. “The fact that you’ve honored the album and everything that’s happened with it — seeing your love for it makes me so proud.”
Ayra Starr, Sabrina Carpenter, and Billie Eilish also won multiple awards, while Chappell Roan clinched two, including Best Breakthrough Artist. The other winners were U.K. artists Central Cee, Dua Lipa, Chase & Status, Hozier, and RAYE. MTV’s European EMAs, which Rita Ora hosted, returned to the Co-op Live arena in Manchester for their 30th edition after last year’s event was canceled over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
It was a night dominated by women, with Ora honoring her late friend and former One Direction member Liam Payne by screening a montage. She told the audience: “Liam was one of the kindest people I know and had the biggest heart.”
MTV’s EMAs are often considered a more authentic alternative to the American version of the show, which is usually a hit-driven affair, and the U.K. telecast was no exception. The night also saw some high-profile performances from artists, including Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims, The Warning, LE SSERAFIM, Peso Pluma, and Tyla.
In the best song category, Espresso beat Billie Eilish’s Birds Of A Feather and Beyonce’s Texas Hold ‘Em. In MTV’s other award categories, U.S. rapper Busta Rhymes won the Global Icon Award, and British electro-pop duo Pet Shop Boys received the Pioneers Prize.
The awards were held in 2022, a year after the EMAs had been scheduled to be held near Paris but were canceled after the outbreak of the Gaza war. The show was broadcast live from the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.
Taylor Swift, who led nominations with seven nods, won four trophies on a night that saw female acts dominate. MTV also handed out the first EMAs of their new 30th-anniversary format, which features more trophies and a bigger stage than previously. Previously, the awards had been spread out over different locations. This year, the trophies were presented at the show’s end in the same venue. The awards are set to return next year in Stockholm, Sweden. American actor and singer Nick Jonas will host the event. It will be broadcast on MTV, Channel 5, and Pluto TV. MTV Studios London and MTV Networks International produced the show. The complete list of winners can be seen below.
