MTV Europe Music Awards 2023 cancelled due to ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict

In an unexpected turn of events, the highly anticipated MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) 2023, scheduled for 5 November in Paris, has been officially cancelled.

MTV, the event’s organizer, made the announcement on last Thursday (19 Oct), via their official Twitter account, citing the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as the primary reason for the cancellation.

The decision to cancel the event was primarily based on the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions of people.

Additionally, MTV expressed concerns about the safety of the staff, crew, artists, fans, and partners who were expected to travel from all corners of the world to participate in the show.

“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music,” MTV stated. “As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning.”

While the grand celebration will not take place as originally planned, MTV has assured that the voting and announcement of winners will proceed as scheduled. The winning artists will still receive their coveted MTV EMA Awards. The network expressed hope to host the MTV EMAs again in November 2024.

Fans who have been eagerly awaiting the event can still cast their votes for their favourite artists on the MTV EMA website until October 31 at 11:59 p.m. CET (Central European Time).

In addition to the standard voting process, the awards show’s account will host social media votes for categories such as the biggest fans and best group as the show’s date approaches. MTV will also choose the best video winner.

This year’s EMAs were set to be a star-studded affair, with top artists such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Metallica among the nominees. Taylor Swift was leading the pack with seven nominations, followed closely by Olivia Rodrigo and SZA, each receiving six nominations.

Furthermore, this year’s awards show introduced a new category: Best Afrobeats, featuring notable artists like Asake, Aya Nakamura, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema competing for the prize. Additionally, 26 artists received their first-ever nominations, including BTS’ Jung Kook, who received three solo nods.

In addition to the global awards, the MTV EMAs also highlight 24 best local act categories, featuring artists from different parts of the world. Fans play a crucial role in determining the winners by voting on the MTV EMA website.

Notable artists nominated for various awards include Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, the Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, and Travis Scott.

Despite the cancellation of this year’s ceremony, the music world continues to unite, with the hope of celebrating global music and artists once again in the future. MTV and music enthusiasts around the world look forward to the return of the MTV EMAs in November 2024.