The MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) has canceled its 2023 edition in relation to the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
“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 award-giving body said in a statement posted on October 20.
It said that it cannot celebrate amid the said conflict’s significant toll.
“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. 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,” the statement read.
Nonetheless, voting will continue and the winning artists will receive their MTV EMA Awards without a formal celebration.
“We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November of 2024,” the statement concluded.
Filipino singer-songwriter Moira Dela Torre is nominated in the Best Asia Act category as the only Filipino music artist nominated in the 2023 MTV EMAs. She is up against Japan’s BE:FIRST, Indonesia’s Tiara Andini, South Korea’s TREASURE, and Thailand’s Bright Vachirawit.
Dela Torre previously received a nomination for Best Southeast Asian Act at the awards show’s 2019 edition, with Singapore’s Jasmine Sokko winning. Last year, Maymay Entrata was also nominated for the same recognition, which went to South Korea’s TOMORROW X TOGETHER.