Taylor Swift, Tyla triumph at MTV Europe Music Awards

Pop megastar Taylor Swift was the big winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday, picking up four trophies at the Manchester ceremony in England. The ceremony included a tribute to the late singer Liam Payne.

Swift, who had led nominations with seven nods, won Best Artist, Best Video for her collaboration with Post Malone's "Fortnight," Best Live, and Best U.S. Act. Currently in North America for her Eras tour, she thanked fans via a video message.

"The fact that you have honored the tour, everything that's happened with the album this year, the video, it's just unbelievable," said Swift, who released her latest album "The Tortured Poets Department" in April.

Tyla celebrates with her sister Sydney as she receives the Best Afrobeats award at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble

South African singer Tyla followed with three prizes - best Afrobeats, best R&B, and best African act.

The awards resumed after last year's Paris event was canceled shortly after the outbreak of the Gaza war, in which Israel's military is fighting Hamas militants.

Each year, the show is held in a different city. Sunday's show took place at Manchester's new Co-Op Live venue.

Singer and third-time MTV EMAs show host Rita Ora led a tribute to late One Direction member Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires. He was 31.

"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," a visibly emotional Ora, who collaborated with Payne for the 2018 song "For You", said.

Rita Ora hosts the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble

"He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and left such a mark on this world."

Other winners on Sunday night included Sabrina Carpenter, whose hit "Espresso" won Best Song; Ariana Grande, who won the Best Pop Award; and Eminem, who triumphed in the Best Hip-hop category.

The best K-pop went to Jimin. Mexican singer Peso Pluma won best Latin, while Manchester native Liam Gallagher took best rock. U.S. singer Benson Boone won the best new category.

Other honorees included U.S. rapper Busta Rhymes, who performed a medley of his hits and received the Global Icon award, and pop Pioneer award recipients British electro-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, who closed the show.