In an emotional statement at the MTV Europe Music Awards, pop twins Jedward, opened up about former One Direction member Liam Payne, who tragically passed at 31.
Mourning the loss during the glitzy event in Manchesters Co-op Live, the duo shared their sentiments with the Manchester Evening News, hinting that the ceremony would be tinged with sorrow due to rumored tributes for Liam. The news of Liam’s untimely deathafter a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentinarocked the music world last month. Rita Ora, this years MTV EMAs host, paid tribute on Instagram the late pop star ahead of the awards show.
“I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul. I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage,” Rita wrote online. “This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P.”
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The Grimes brothers conveyed that Rita’s performance might carry extra weight given their collaboration on their hit 2018 song For You.
“Tonight will be upsetting for Rita Ora because she did a song with Liam. There is going to be a tribute, so I think there will be a lot of tears,” they said. Connecting through their shared X Factor beginnings, they expressed a deep kinship: “The fact that we all came from the same show… it’s like we all went to school together. You can’t describe the experience.”
Reflecting on the stark reality of Liam’s death, they recounted the surreal moment they learned the news: “When we heard the news, everything dropped. We couldn’t sleep that night. We met him in 2017. That was the last EMA’s we were at and honestly, who would’ve thought?, the Mirror reported.
Liam initially auditioned for the X Factor in 2008, but didn’t make it to the live shows. However, he returned in 2010 and was placed into One Direction, which ended up placing third in the final that year.
Jedward competed on the ITV singing contest in 2009 and placed fifth. This weekend, Manchester is set to host a slew of acts for the MTV EMAs, described as one of the largest TV broadcasts across Europe outside of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Performances are expected from Raye, Pet Shop Boys, Le Sserafim, Shawn Mendes, and Benson Boone, with a number of celebrities slated to present awards. Last month, Rita paid tribute to Liam on Instagram, writing: “I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul. I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P.”
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