Rita Ora is having some trouble keeping it together on Sunday night.
As host of the MTV Europe Music Awards, the singer took a moment at the end of the show to pay tribute to Liam Payne… who died almost a month ago after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina Was.
“I just want to take a moment to remember a man who was very, very dear to us,” Ora said, clearly emotional from the beginning of the speech.
“We lost him recently, and he was a huge part of the MTV world and my world, and I think there will be a lot of you and everyone here at home tonight.”
Ora collaborated with the former One Direction star on the 2018 track, “For You”.
A few weeks ago, fans captured footage of Ora crying and leaving the stage while attempting to perform the song at a concert following Payne’s passing.
According to a recent release from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, “Payne was not fully conscious at the time of the fall or was experiencing a state of significant reduction or impairment of consciousness.”
As previously reported, a preliminary autopsy revealed that Payne had pink cocaine and other drugs in his system at the time of his death.
Just a few days ago, three people were arrested in connection with Payne’s death, who allegedly played some role in supplying drugs to the artist, leading to his death.
This is all so incredibly sad.
Ora continued at the EMAs, “Liam Payne was one of the kindest people I knew.” “There were so many ways we were talking about honoring him, and I think sometimes just speaking is enough.”
He continued:
“He had the biggest heart and was always the first one to offer help in any way.
“He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on this world. So, let’s take a moment to remember our friend Liam.”
Payne died on October 16 at the age of 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of the Casasur Palermo hotel.
Official documents revealed that he died from “multiple trauma” and “internal and external bleeding”, as well as the fact that he had alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his death.
Payne is survived by his son Bear, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Cole; Also his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
May his soul rest in peace.