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The MTV Europe Music Awards have been cancelled over ongoing devastating events in Israel and Gaza.
The Organisers Paramount told BBC Newsbeat this was out of an abundance of caution. “Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward,” a statement said.
The show was scheduled to take place in Paris on 5 November, with performances from BTS’s Jung Kook and former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne. Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Taylor Swift, and Nicki Minaj were nominated for Best Artist.
Paramount described the MTV EMAs as an annual celebration of global music but said as 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,” the organisation said by adding, “Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life.”
The most serious escalation in the conflict in decades erupted on 7 October, when Hamas – a group designated a terrorist group by governments including the United States and the UK – launched an unprecedented attack on Israel killing 1,400 people and taking more than 200 hostages.
At least 3,700 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes, Palestinian health officials say. Paramount said its show will now be rescheduled for November 2024.
