2021 MTV Europe Music Awards
The 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards were held on 14 November 2021 at the László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary.[1] This marked the first time that Hungary hosted the awards show and as well the first event has been held in a former communist country. The show was presented by American rapper Saweetie.
| 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | 14 November 2021 |
| Location | László Papp Budapest Sports Arena, Budapest, Hungary |
| Hosted by | Saweetie |
| Most awards | BTS (4) |
| Most nominations | Justin Bieber (8) |
| Website | mtvema |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | MTV (International) Channel 5 (UK) 10 Shake (AUS) VH1 India and Voot Select (IND) |
| Produced by | Bruce Gilmer Richard Godfrey Debbie Phillips Chloe Mason |
Justin Bieber led the nominations, with a total of eight, making him the most nominated male artist.[2] Doja Cat and Lil Nas X were both tied, with six nominations, with Doja being the most nominated female act.[3]
Performances
The performers were announced on November 11, 2021.[4]
| Artist(s) | Song(s) |
|---|---|
| Main show[5] | |
| Ed Sheeran | "Overpass Graffiti" "Shivers" |
| Saweetie | "Tap In" "Best Friend" "Out Out" |
| Imagine Dragons JID |
"Enemy" |
| Griff | "One Night" |
| Girl in Red | "Serotonin" |
| OneRepublic | "Run" (Filmed at Heroes' Square) |
| Maluma Rayvanny |
"Mama Tetema" |
| Måneskin | "Mammamia" |
| Kim Petras | "Coconuts" "Hit It from the Back" |
| YUNGBLUD | "Fleabag" |
Presenters
The presenters were announced on November 11, 2021.[6]
- Becca Dudley – Pre-show co-host
- Jack Saunders – Pre-show co-host
- Rita Ora – presented Best Latin
- Winnie Harlow – presented Best Hip-Hop
- Joel Corry – presented Best New
- Drew McIntyre – presented Best Rock
- Ryan Tedder – presented Best Song
- Manu Gavassi – presented Best Alternative
- Olly Alexander – presented Best Video
- Saweetie – presented Best Artist
Winners and nominations
The nominations were annunced on October 20, 2021.[7] The category Best K-Pop was introduced this year.[7]
| Best Song | Best Video |
|---|---|
|
|
| Best Collaboration | Best Artist |
|
|
| Best Group | Best New |
| Best Pop | Best Electronic |
| Best Rock | Best Alternative |
| Best Hip-Hop | Best Latin |
| Best K-Pop | Best Push |
| Biggest Fans | Video for Good |
Regional awards
Regional nominations were announced on 20 October 2021.
Controversy
After the decision to hold the MTV EMA in Budapest, there was criticism for the location, because of the Hungarian's parliament decision to adopt laws against the LGBT community in June 2021.[8] President and CEO of MTV Entertainment Group Worldwide Chris McCarthy explained that no censorship by the Hungarian government will be tolerated:[9]
"As a gay man, my personal emotions got the better of me. After learning this legislation passed, my knee jerk reaction was that we should move the event to another country. However, I picked up the phone to connect with global LGBTQ+ advocates, [...] and consulted our LGBTQ+ employee resource group, Emerge. The decision was very clear to all of us, [...] we should not move the event. Instead, we should move forward, using the show as an opportunity to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary and around the world as we continue to fight for equality for all".
Performers included Kim Petras, the first out trans performer at the EMAs,[10] with an act that was intentionally raunchy and "sex positive"[10] and who spoke out to say "It's going to be pretty powerful to be in Hungary and perform the show when these laws have just happened".[11] Other artists were also given stage time to speak out against Hungarian anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including Saweetie and Lil Nas X.[11]
There were also announced five "Generation Change Awards", introduced by Drew Barrymore and honouring LGBTQ+ activists from Iraq, Nigeria, Brazil, the United States and Hungary, with Budapest Pride organiser Viktória Radványi accepting the award in person;[11] the other honourees were Amir Ashour, founder of IraQueer; Matthew Blaise, founder of The Oasis Project in Nigeria; Sage Dolan-Sandrino, an Afro-Cuban queer and trans artist from the United States; and Erika Hilton, the first black trans woman elected to the Municipal Chamber of São Paulo.[12]
References
- "2021 MTV EMAs to broadcast live from Hungary". MTV. 19 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- "Justin Bieber Leads 2021 MTV EMA Nominations". Billboard. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- Peters, Daniel (21 October 2021). "SB19, JJ Lin, Lyodra and more nominated for 2021 MTV EMAs' Best Southeast Asia Act award". NME. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- Grein, Paul (11 November 2021). "Here Are All the Performers & Presenters at the 2021 MTV EMAs". Billboard. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- "Maluma, Maneskin & Kim Petras Announced as 2021 MTV EMA Performers". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- Lang, Jamie (11 November 2021). "Rita Ora, Ryan Tedder, Winnie Harlow Headline '2021 MTV EMAs' Award Presenter Lineup – Global Bulletin". Variety. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- "Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, And Lil Nas X Lead 2021 MTV EMA Nominees". MTV News. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- "2021 MTV Europe Music Awards to 'Stand in Solidarity With Our LGBTQ Siblings' In Wake Of Host Hungary's Anti-Gay Laws". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- Szalai, Georg (19 October 2021). "MTV to Counter Hungary's Anti-Gay Law as EMAs in Budapest Will "Stand in Solidarity" With LGBTQ+ Community". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- Moran, Justin (14 November 2021). "Kim Petras Brings Her 'Coconuts' to the EMAs Stage". Paper. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- Spike, Justin (15 November 2021). "2021 MTV EMAs Displays Support For LGBTQ People During Ceremony In Hungary". HuffPost. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- Ramachandran, Naman (14 November 2021). "As MTV EMAs Go Ahead in Budapest Despite Anti-LGBTQ Laws, Hungarian Activist Award Winner Details 'Fear and Censorship'". Variety. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.