MTV said Sunday’s EMA, held in the Hungarian capital Budapest, would go on to show solidarity with Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community, following June’s law banning “shows and promotions of homosexuality” among under-18s. .
It said the 2021 EMAs, held at the Pap László Budapest Sport Arena, “will be a global celebration of music for all audiences around the world.”
International pop star Kim Petras, the first transgender artist at the EMAs, said, “I’m so excited, I’m so grateful to MTV. I think censorship of any kind of love sucks, and it’s kind of a stand against that.” ” Red carpet.
Some of the gay couples who attended the show were kissing on the red carpet and others were wearing rainbow-colored clothes at a show in support of LGBTQ+ people.
Lil Nas X was awarded Best Video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, while Korean band BTS won the most awards with four including Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Group and Biggest Fans. .
First-time EMA winner Menskin won Best Rock, while show host and artist Saviti won Best New.
Nicki Minaj earned a top award for Best Hip-Hop, Olivia Rodrigo was awarded Best Push, Maluma won Best Latin, and YUNGBLUD snatched the award for Best Choice.
For the first time ever, the “MTV EMA Generation Change Award” winners were honored during EMA’s main show, honoring five young people promoting equality while fighting against anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Victoria Radvani, a member of the Hungarian Board of Budapest Pride, accepted the prize on behalf of the winners.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban, facing a difficult 2022 election, says the June law is intended to protect children. EU leaders say it discriminates against gay and transgender people and goes against EU values.
The law has caused concern among the LGBT community under Orban’s government, which has intensified its campaign against LGBT people ahead of next year’s vote.
As Budapest prepared to host the EMA, Orban was re-elected unopposed as chairman of the ruling Fidesz party. The anti-LGBT line was strongly on the agenda at his party congress, with many speakers pledging to defend what they saw as Hungarian traditional Christian values.
An energetic political outsider, Orban’s opposition challenger, Peter Markey-Jay, has said he would scrap anti-LGBTQ legislation if elected. He has said that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry and have equal rights.
The show drew inspiration from Budapest’s popular thermal spas and the Danube River, which runs through the capital, whose feet are seen floating.
Grammy Award winner Sheeran kicked off the night surrounded by neon graffiti to perform his latest single, “Overpass Graffiti.” He later performed his chart-topping hit “Shivers”.
Imagine Dragons returned to the EMAs for the debut of their new single, “Enemy”. Bathed in laser lights, the best-selling band hit the stage with Grammy-nominated rapper and artist JID and a troupe of dancers.
Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter and Best Alternative award winner YUNGBLUD closed the night with a pyrotechnic performance of their latest single, “Fleabag”.
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