Awards ceremony
After the US election: How political will the MTV Europe Music Awards become?
Stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé campaigned for Kamala Harris during the election campaign. At the “MTV Europe Music Awards” they appear on stage for the first time since Donald Trump’s victory.
Will it be a celebration or more of a mourning event? On November 10th, five days after Donald Trump’s renewed election victory, the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) will be held in Manchester. The first major musical event in a new political era.
In 2023, the award ceremony was canceled at short notice. The organizers justified the decision with the war in Israel and Gaza. It is “not the right moment for a global celebration.” But this year too, the majority of the nominated artists probably don’t feel like celebrating.
US artists rallied behind Kamala Harris
Various US artists publicly spoke out in support of Kamala Harris during the election campaign, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Billie Eilish – three US singers nominated in the Best Artist category at this year’s EMAs.
Beyoncé allowed Democrats to use her song “Freedom” and appeared at a campaign rally. Billie Eilish interrupted a concert to ask her fans to vote for Harris. Taylor Swift’s positioning was expected with particular attention: In September, when Joe Biden handed over the candidacy to Kamala Harris, she explained to her followers on Instagram why she would vote for Harris.
Sabrina Carpenter mobilized the most
Sabrina Carpenter (“Espresso”) showed particular commitment: The singer, who was also nominated, worked with the US organization Headcount, which promotes voter registration. On her tour, Carpenter brought over 30,000 people to register to vote, more than any other artist in 2024, according to the organization.
And after the election? So far there has been silence among the nominated artists who support Harris. Only Billie Eilish commented on Instagram the day after Donald Trump’s victory – with a black tile with the words: “It’s a war on women” on it.
It is likely that other nominees will comment on Trump’s election at next Sunday’s awards ceremony. In 2020, for example, the awards were all about the Black Lives Matter movement. At the EMAs 2021 in Hungary, organizers and artists set an example for homosexual people. The background was the Orbán government’s anti-LGBTQ attitude. And last but not least, the cancellation of the awards last year showed that the EMAs have always been a stage for political statements.
The nominees of the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024
Best International Artist:
- Beyonce
- Billie Eilish
- Post Malone
- RAYE
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Taylor Swift
Best German Artist:
- Ayliva
- KIZ
- Luciano
- Pashanim
- Shirin David
- Beautiful things – Benson Boone
- We can’t be friends (wait for your love) – Ariana Grande
- Texas Hold’em – Beyoncé
- Birds of a feather – Billie EIlish
- Good luck, babe! – Chappell Roan
- Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
The MTV Europe Music Awards will be broadcast live on MTV and various streaming providers on Sunday, November 10th at 9 p.m.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
