Rita Ora has spoken out about her fondness for the late Liam Payne.
While hosting the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 on Sunday, November 10, Ora, 33, shared an emotional tribute to Payne, who died at the age of 31 after falling from a Buenos Aires balcony on October 16.
“Just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us. We lost him recently and he was a big part of the MTV world, and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight,” Ora said into the mic during the ceremony, which was staged at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Footage from the moment was shared via X by Pop Crave on Sunday night.
Ora’s tribute continued, “Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. There were so many ways that we were talking about honoring him and I think sometimes, just simply speaking, is enough. He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could.”
Ora, who worked with Payne on the track, “For You,” which featured in the 2018 film Fifty Shades Freed, then began to visibly feel the tribute’s weight, as her voice started to tremble while she pushed on. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into. And he left such a mark on this world,” she continued.
As the crowd cheered Ora on, the “Let You Love Me” singer then threw to MTV’s video tribute to Payne. “Let’s just take a moment to remember our friend, Liam,” Ora directed. The TV network then aired a short montage of black and white photos of Payne with the words, “MTV Remembers Liam Payne 1993-2024,” posted as an introduction.
Payne fell to his death from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in the Argentinian city and sustained a cranial fracture and other serious injuries that proved too severe to be treated. Local emergency responders declared Payne’s death on the scene.
Ora’s MTV tribute was not the first time she has made reference to her friend since news of Payne’s death broke.
During her October 17 concert in Osaka, Japan, Ora included “For You” within her setlist and displayed a photo of the pair on a large screen. The photo captured Ora and Payne in the recording studio together and Ora was seen gazing at the image as she walked off the concert stage, per social media footage from the event.
Upon Payne’s death, Ora was among several celebrities to acknowledge the tragedy via social media. “I’m devastated 💔, He had the kindest soul, I will never forget,” Ora wrote via Instagram on October 17, uploading the same photo that was shown during the concert. “I loved working with him so much — he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage.”
Ora added, “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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