Pop stars Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj sparkled at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday, held in the Scottish city of Glasgow for the first time.
After opening the show with a thumping performance dressed in a futuristic silver leotard, Grande won best female artist and best song for her hit Problem.
“I’m excited, I’m very very grateful and very happy,” the Florida-born 21-year-old said backstage at the event.
Pop star and rapper Nicki Minaj was praised for her slick hosting of the awards, which included a nod to the host city with a rap about shortbread.
Dressed in a sheer black catsuit, Minaj danced under a cascade of sparks before performing a debut of a new song, Bed Of Lies, then breaking into her raunchy hit Anaconda.
Superstar boy band One Direction scored a hat-trick of awards, picking up the best pop, best live act and biggest fans awards, which are the result of votes by fans themselves.
“Our fans really are amazing! Thank you so much for your amazing support! 3 EMA’s!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” singer Louis Tomlinson wrote on Twitter.
Though they won the most awards, they band were unable to attend to collect them in person. The absence of member Zayn Malik in their video message left fans questioning his whereabouts.
Canada’s Justin Bieber was awarded best male, pop star Katy Perry won best look and best video, and singer Enrique Iglesias won best world stage performance.
Beyonce, though rumoured to be a surprise guest, did not attend, but was awarded best song with a social message for her song Pretty Hurts.
The theme of the awards was time travel to mark 20 years since the first one was held, and clips of the previous award shows were played.
Actor and singer David Hasselhoff was applauded as he walked on stage in a kilt, telling the crowd cheekily “I am a true Scotsman but I’m not going to show you.”
Irish band U2 returned to perform in their fourth appearance at the EMAs, playing Every Breaking Wave.
And rock musician Ozzy Osbourne took to the stage to accept a global icon award, remarking “I can’t believe it, it’s just incredible.”
Guitar legend Slash appeared on stage to pay tribute to Osbourne, telling the audience “He scares the hell out of most people and all bats. But to me is a gentle man and a gentleman.”
artslife@thenational.ae
