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MTV said Sunday's EMAs, hosted in Budapest,
would go ahead to show solidarity with Hungary's LGBTQ+
community following a June law banning the "display and
promotion of homosexuality" among under-18s.
It said the 2021 EMAs, held at the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sport
arena, would be "a global celebration of music for all audiences
around the world".
"I am so excited, I am very grateful to MTV. I think censorship
of any kind of love sucks, and this is kind of a stand against
that," international pop star Kim Petras, the first transgender
performer at the EMAs, said on the red carpet.
Some gay couples arriving at the show were kissing on the red
carpet and others were dressed in rainbow-coloured clothes in a
show of support for 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 winners Måneskin took home best rock, while show
host and performer Saweetie 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
snagged the award for best alternative.
For the first time, the "MTV EMA Generation Change Award"
winners were recognised during the EMAs main show, honouring
five young people promoting equality while fighting against
anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Viktoria Radvanyi, a Hungarian board member of Budapest Pride,
accepted the award on behalf of the winners.
ANXIETY
Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who faces a tough 2022 election,
says the June law is aimed at protecting children. European
Union leaders say it discriminates against gay and transgender
people and goes against EU values.
The law has caused anxiety in the LGBT community under Orban's
government, which has stepped up its campaign against LGBT
people ahead of next year's ballot.
As Budapest prepared to host the EMAs, Orban was re-elected
chairman of the ruling Fidesz party unopposed. The anti-LGBT
line featured strongly on the agenda at his party congress, with
several speakers pledging to protect what they see as Hungary's
traditional Christian values.
Orban's opposition challenger, Peter Marki-Zay, an energetic
political outsider, has said he would scrap the anti-LGBTQ law
if elected. He has said same-sex couples should be allowed to
marry and deserve equal rights.
The show derived inspiration from Budapest's popular thermal
spas and the Danube River, which runs through the capital, with
stages that appeared to be floating.
Grammy award-winning Sheeran opened the night surrounded by neon
graffiti to perform his latest single, "Overpass Graffiti."
Later he 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
rocked the stage alongside Grammy-nominated rapper and artist
J.I.D and a squad of dancers.
Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter and best alternative
award winner YUNGBLUD closed the night with a
pyrotechnics-filled performance of his latest single "fleabag".
(Reporting by Gergely Szakacs; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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