The MTV Europe Music Awards have been canceled due to security concerns amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
The annual MTV EMA’s have been cancelled due to security concerns caused by the “volatility of world events,” organizers have confirmed.
The ceremony was due to take place in Paris on Sunday, November 5. Taylor Swift leads the nominees for the event with seven nods, including best artist, best song and best video. She is closely followed by Olivia Rodrigo and SZA with six nominations each.
“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,” a spokesperson for Paramount, which owns MTV, said in a statement.
The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music,” the spokesperson continued. 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 event will return in November 2024, organizers have confirmed.
France is currently on high alert after a teacher was killed and three others injured in a suspected Islamist attack in the northern city of Arras on October 13.
On Wednesday, October 18, eight airports in France were under security alert and several were evacuated, according to the DGAC aviation authority. The Palace of Versailles was also closed for the third time in five days due to a security scare.
Last year’s event in Düsseldorf, Germany, was hosted by Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi and singer Rita Ora. Taylor Swift dominated, taking home four of the six awards for which she was nominated.
