PARIS: The MTV Europe Music Awards on Thursday canceled its performance-packed ceremony slated for next month, citing the Israel-Hamas War.
The event had been scheduled for Paris on Nov. 5, with Ozuna, Renée Rapp and Thirty Second to Mars among the performers.
“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,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement also said the decision was made “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.”
MTV said the EMAs would return in November 2024.
Taylor Swift was the big winner at last year’s EMAs in Dusseldorf, Germany, collecting four trophies including for best artist, best video and best longform video.
Swift was again this year’s top nominee with seven, with Olivia Rodrigo and SZA tied for second with six apiece.
MTV cancels EMAs awards show in Paris, citing Israel-Hamas war
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MTV cancels EMAs awards show in Paris, citing Israel-Hamas war
- The event had been scheduled for Paris on Nov. 5
- “As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration,” a company spokesperson said
Will Smith brings ‘Pole to Pole’ docu-series to Dubai for Middle East premiere
- Star takes part in live onstage Q&A session alongside Allison Fong, Richard Parks, Bryan Fry
DUBAI: Global star Will Smith walked the blue carpet in Dubai on Monday for the Middle East’s premiere of National Geographic’s “Pole to Pole with Will Smith,” marking the regional launch of his seven-part global exploration series.
The event was held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City Dubai, the region’s first net-zero emissions building, and brought together government officials, regional celebrities, content creators and sustainability advocates.
Following a private screening of the first episode, Smith took part in a live onstage Q&A session alongside Allison Fong, Richard Parks and Bryan Fry, three of the experts involved in the series.
Five years in the making, the cinematic docuseries follows Smith’s travels from the ice fields of Antarctica to the Amazon rainforest, the Himalayas, African deserts, Pacific islands, and the Arctic, exploring both extreme environments and the people who study and protect them.
Faris Saeed, the founder and chairman of SEE Holding, said the series “reminds us that progress is not only about how advanced we become, but by how deeply we remain connected to our humanity and our planet,” adding that future cities must bring people and nature closer together.
The premiere was produced by KS Konnect, the strategic consultancy founded by Kris Fade and Sarah Omolewu.
Omolewu said hosting the event in Dubai was “deeply meaningful” and reflected both the city’s status as a cultural hub and Smith’s commitment to purpose-driven storytelling.
“Pole to Pole with Will Smith” will air on National Geographic on Jan. 13 at 8 p.m., on National Geographic Abu Dhabi on Jan. 14 at 9 p.m., and will be available to stream on Disney+ from Jan. 14.
