Beyoncé Snubbed at the MTV EMAs With No Wins, Four Noms

Beyoncé gets snubbed at the MTV EMAs as Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Lisa, and Tyla clean up with massive wins.

Beyoncé may have a record-breaking amount of Grammy Award nominations, but the star was seemingly snubbed at the MTV European Music Awards over the weekend. Taylor Swift came out with the most wins—Best Artist, Best US Act, Best Live Act, and Best Video for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.

Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, and Sabrina Carpenter each had five nominations in categories such as Best Song, Best Video, and Best Artist. Other artists with four nominations included Ayra Starr, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Lisa, Chappell Roan, and Tyla.

Shawn Mendes received the award for Best Canadian Act, while Sabrina Carpenter took the award for Best Song for her hit “Espresso.” Ariana Grande won Best Pop Act, while Eminem won Best Hip-Hop Act.

British singer Rita Ora hosted the show for a record third time, and paid tribute to former One Direction star Liam Payne, who died suddenly last month after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Ora recorded a song with Payne in 2018, “For You (Fifty Shades Freed).”

“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people I knew,” said Ora, whose voice broke as she addressed the crowd. “He had the biggest heart, and he left such a mark on this world.”

Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes was honored with the EMA Global Icon Award from British rapper Little Simz. The 12-time Grammy Award nominee performed a medley of his greatest hits, and told the crowd that in 34 years of recording music, this was his first award from MTV.

Legendary New Wave duo Pet Shop Boys were honored with the inaugural Pop Pioneers Award for their contributions to pop music. They closed out the show with accompaniment by the Manchester Camerata orchestra, playing a cover of David Bowie's “All the Young Dudes,” followed by their classic “West End Girls” for the song's 40th anniversary.

Other performers included Shawn Mendes, Le Sserafim, Peso Pluma, Raye, Teddy Swims, and Mexican rock sisters The Warning.