English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has won best artist and best song while K-pop stars BTS snatched four goings at MTV's Europe Music Awards, which returned as an in-person event after a virtual 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MTV said Sunday's EMAs, hosted in Budapest, would go ahead to show solidarity with Hungary's LGBTQ community following a June law banning the "display and promotion of homosexuality" among under-18s.
It said the 2021 EMAs, held at the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sport arena, would be "a global celebration of music for all audiences around the world".
"I am so excited, I am very grateful to MTV. I think censorship of any kind of love sucks, and this is kind of a stand against that," international pop star Kim Petras, the first transgender performer at the EMAs, said on the red carpet.
Some gay couples arriving at the show were kissing on the red carpet and others were dressed in rainbow-coloured clothes in a show of support for LGBTQ people.
Lil Nas X was awarded best video for MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name), while Korean band BTS won the most awards with four including best pop, best K-pop, best group, and biggest fans.
First-time EMA winners Maneskin took home best rock, while show host and performer Saweetie won best new.
Nicki Minaj earned a top award for best hip-hop, Olivia Rodrigo was awarded best push, Maluma won best Latin, and YUNGBLUD snagged the award for best alternative.
For the first time, the "MTV EMA Generation Change Award" winners were recognised during the EMAs main show, honouring five young people promoting equality while fighting against anti-LGBTQ policies.
Viktoria Radvanyi, a Hungarian board member of Budapest Pride, accepted the award on behalf of the winners.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who faces a tough 2022 election, says the June law is aimed at protecting children. European Union leaders say it discriminates against gay and transgender people and goes against EU values.
The law has caused anxiety in the LGBT community under Orban's government, which has stepped up its campaign against LGBT people ahead of next year's ballot.
The show derived inspiration from Budapest's popular thermal spas and the Danube River, which runs through the capital, with stages that appeared to be floating.
Grammy award-winning Sheeran opened the night surrounded by neon graffiti to perform his latest single, Overpass Graffiti. Later he performed his chart-topping hit Shivers.
Imagine Dragons returned to the EMAs for the debut of their new single Enemy. Bathed in laser lights, the best-selling band rocked the stage alongside Grammy-nominated rapper and artist J.I.D and a squad of dancers.
Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter and best alternative award winner Yungblud closed the night with a pyrotechnics-filled performance of his latest single Feabag.Â
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Best Artist
Ed Sheeran
Best Pop
BTS
Best Song
Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
Best Video
Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
Best Collaboration
Doja Cat ft. SZA - Kiss Me More
Best New
Saweetie
Best Electronic
David Guetta
Best Rock
Maneskin
Best Alternative
Yungblud
Best Latin
Maluma
Best Hip Hop
Nicki Minaj
Best K-Pop
BTS
Best Group
BTS
Best Push
Olivia Rodrigo
Biggest Fans
BTS
Video for Good
Billie Eilish - Your Power
MTV EMA Generation Change Award
Amir Ashour
Matthew Blaise
Sage Dolan-Sandrino
Erika Hilton
Viktoria Radvanyi