The 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards were held on 8 November 2020 at the Breakfast Television Centre in London. The ceremony was hosted by Little Mix, making them the first group ever to host; however, only three members -- Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall, appeared; Jesy Nelson did not participate for health reasons. In similar fashion to its American counterpart held earlier in August, the performances were filmed at various locations across Europe and the world due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The two-hour long show was broadcast in 180 countries.
Lady Gaga was the most nominated artist with seven nominations to her name, followed by BTS and Justin Bieber with five each. BTS was the most awarded act of the ceremony, claiming awards in four of the five categories they were nominated in. Three new categories were introduced that year: Best Latin, Video for Good, and Best Virtual Live.
Performances + List of musical performances Artist(s) Song(s) Pre-showMTV EMA Pre-show performers: Why Don't We "Fallin' (Adrenaline)" Madison Beer "Baby" 24kGoldnIann Dior "Mood" Main showMTV EMA Main show performers: Doja Cat "Say So" Jack Harlow "Tyler Herro""What's Poppin" Sam Smith "Diamonds" David Guettaand Raye "Let's Love" Maluma andAya Nakamura"Djadja""Hawái" DaBaby "Rockstar""Blind""Practice" Little Mix "Sweet Melody" Alicia Keys "Love Looks Better" Tate McRae "You Broke Me First" Karol G "Bichota" Yungblud "Cotton Candy""Strawberry Lipstick" Zara Larsson "Wow" Little Mix's performance was filmed in London and incorporated "augmented reality and a contortionist". French DJ David Guetta held the premiere performance of his single "Let's Love" live from a pool at the Széchenyi Bath complex in Budapest, Hungary; British singer Raye featured in Sia's place. Both artists were "immersed in a waterfall" of laser lights. English singer Yungblud wore a women's tennis outfit for his performance and assumed the role of "Cupid", flying around the venue of London's Roundhouse and pretending to "shoot arrows at unsuspecting lovers". After reuniting with his band on the ground, in a "giant red spikey inflatable", he ripped off his white skirt to reveal Union Jack shorts.
Appearances Becca Dudley – Pre-show co-host Jamila Mustafa – Pre-show co-host Anitta – presented Best Video Bebe Rexha – presented Best Artist Madison Beer – presented Best Song Rita Ora – presented Best Electronic Roman Reigns – presented Best Pop Winnie Harlow – presented Best Latin Anne-Marie – presented Best New & Best Group Big Sean – presented Best Hip-Hop Lewis Hamilton – presented Video for Good DJ Khaled – introduced Maluma & Aya Nakamura and Karol G Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters – introduced Yungblud Barbara Palvin – presented from Budapest BTS - appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Song and Best Group David Guetta appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Electronic Karol G appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Latin and Best Collaboration Chris Martin from Coldplay appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Rock Hayley Williams from Paramore appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Alternative Doja Cat appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best New
Awards Voting for select categories began on 6 October on the official MTV EMA website and ended on 2 November. Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.
Best Song Best VideoBTS — "Dynamite" DaBaby (featuring Roddy Ricch) — "Rockstar" Dua Lipa — "Don't Start Now" Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – "Rain on Me" Roddy Ricch — "The Box" The Weeknd – "Blinding Lights"DJ Khaled (featuring Drake) — "Popstar" Billie Eilish — "Everything I Wanted" Cardi B (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) — "WAP" Karol G (featuring Nicki Minaj) — "Tusa" Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – "Rain on Me" Taylor Swift – "The Man" The Weeknd – "Blinding Lights" Best Collaboration Best ArtistKarol G (featuring Nicki Minaj) — "Tusa" Blackpink and Selena Gomez – "Ice Cream" Cardi B (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) — "WAP" DaBaby (featuring Roddy Ricch) — "Rockstar" Justin Bieber (featuring Quavo) — "Intentions" Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – "Rain on Me" Sam Smith and Demi Lovato – "I'm Ready"Lady Gaga Dua Lipa Harry Styles Justin Bieber Miley Cyrus The Weeknd Best Group Best NewBTS 5 Seconds of Summer Blackpink Chloe x Halle CNCO Little MixDoja Cat Benee DaBaby Jack Harlow Roddy Ricch Yungblud Best Pop Best ElectronicLittle Mix BTS Dua Lipa Harry Styles Justin Bieber Katy Perry Lady GagaDavid Guetta Calvin Harris Kygo Marshmello Martin Garrix The Chainsmokers Best Rock Best AlternativeColdplay Green Day Liam Gallagher Pearl Jam Tame Impala The KillersHayley Williams Blackbear FKA Twigs Machine Gun Kelly Twenty One Pilots The 1975 Best Hip-Hop Best LatinCardi B DaBaby Drake Eminem Megan Thee Stallion Roddy Ricch Travis ScottKarol G Anuel AA Bad Bunny J Balvin Maluma Ozuna Best Virtual Live Best PushBTS J Balvin Katy Perry Little Mix Maluma Post MaloneYungblud AJ Mitchell Ashnikko Benee Brockhampton Conan Gray Doja Cat Georgia Jack Harlow Lil Tecca Tate McRae Wallows Biggest Fans Video for GoodBTS Ariana Grande Blackpink Justin Bieber Lady Gaga Taylor SwiftH.E.R. — "I Can't Breathe" Anderson .Paak — "Lockdown" David Guetta and Sia — "Let's Love" Demi Lovato — "I Love Me" Jorja Smith — "By Any Means" Lil Baby — "The Bigger Picture" Generation Change Luiza BrasilKiki MordiTemi MwaleCatherhea PotjanapornRaquel Willis
Regional awards Best Regional Act winners were announced by Johnny Orlando via a live stream posted on the official MTV EMA Facebook page. Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.
Europe Best Belgian Act Best Dutch ActAngèle IBE Blackwave. OT Lost FrequenciesEmma Heesters Davina Michelle Tabitha Bilal Wahib Suzan & Freek Best French Act Best German ActMatt Pokora Soprano Slimane et Vitaa GIMS Aya NakamuraFynn Kliemann Apache 207 Lea Nico Santos Shirin David Best Hungarian Act Best Israeli ActDzsúdló Irie Maffia ByeAlex Viktoria Metzker Carson ComaNoa Kirel Carakukly Eden Hason Noga Erez Noroz and Boi Ecchi Best Italian Act Best Nordic ActDiodato Elettra Lamborghini Levante Irama RandomZara Larsson Branco Gilli Alma Kygo Best Polish Act Best Portuguese ActMargaret Quebonafide Krzysztof Zalewski Daria Zawiałow sanahFernando Daniel Bárbara Bandeira Diogo Piçarra Bispo Dino D'Santiago Best Russian Act Best Spanish ActNiletto Cream Soda Morgenshtern Klava Coca ManizhaLa La Love You Leiva Don Patricio Aitana Carolina Durante Best Swiss Act Best UK & Ireland ActLoredana Seven Bligg Loco Escrito ProntoLittle Mix Dave Dua Lipa Harry Styles Stormzy Africa Best African ActMaster KG Burna Boy Rema Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa Sheebah Gaz Mawete Asia Best Greater China Act Best Indian ActR1SE AGA Feng Timo Waa Wei Timmy XuArmaan Malik Divine Kaam Bhaari Prabh Deep Siri & Sez on the Beat Best Japanese Act Best Korean ActOfficial Hige Dandism Hiraidai Punpee Rei YorushikaStray Kids Astro Everglow Kard Victon Best Southeast Asian Act Jack (J97) Agnez Mo Benjamin Kheng Ben&Ben K-Clique Violette Wautier Australia and New Zealand Best Australian Act Best New Zealand ActG Flip Baker Boy Hayden James The Kid Laroi Tones and IBenee Baynk Jawsh 685 L.A.B. The Naked and Famous Americas Best Brazilian Act Best Canadian ActPabllo Vittar Anitta Djonga Emicida LudmillaJohnny Orlando Alessia Cara The Weeknd Justin Bieber Jessie Reyez Best Caribbean Act Best Latin America North ActBad Bunny Anuel AA Ozuna Residente Rauw AlejandroDanna Paola Matisse Jesse & Joy Sofía Reyes Zoé Best Latin America Central Act Best Latin America South ActSebastián Yatra Camilo J Balvin Karol G MalumaLali Cazzu Khea Nicki Nicole Tini Best US Act Lady Gaga Cardi B Megan Thee Stallion Miley Cyrus Taylor Swift
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