Shock! The MTV Europe Music Awards canceled due to conflicts in the Middle East

The MTV Europe Music Awards, originally scheduled for November 5th in Paris, have been canceled due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. This annual ceremony, which celebrates music and artists from around the world, will now be rescheduled for November 2024.

The decision to cancel was made by the organizers at Paramount production company. This was due to the volatile nature of world events and out of extreme caution for the safety of thousands of employees, staff members, artists, fans, and partners who would have traveled from various parts of the world to participate in the event.

Additionally, following the tragic death of teacher Dominique Bernard, who was fatally stabbed on October 13th by a suspected Islamic extremist in a school in Arras, France has raised its threat level for potential terrorist attacks. Authorities also report thwarting a terrorist attack attempt in Paris on the same day, leading to the evacuation of some airports due to security threats. Given these circumstances, the organizers deemed it inappropriate to proceed with the MTV EMAs in 2023. The event is an annual celebration of global music, and the current global events do not provide a suitable environment for such a celebration.

Paramount’s reasons

“Given the instability of world events, we have decided not to proceed with the MTV EMAs out of extreme caution for the thousands of employees, staff members, artists, fans, and partners traveling from all corners of the world to bring the show to life. While we witness the devastating events in Israel and Gaza, it does not seem like the right time for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a time of mourning. We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November 2024”, said a Paramount spokesperson.

MTV Europe Music Awards 2023. Nominees

The awards ceremony was initially planned for November 5th. It promised an impressive lineup of performances featuring artists such as Reneé Rapp and Sabrina Carpenter. Additionally, the electronic music maestro David Guetta and Kid Laroi were also expected to take the stage. And the charismatic Jung Kook from the globally renowned K-pop sensation, BTS, along with many other talented acts set to grace the stage with their music and showmanship.

In the realm of nominations, it was Taylor Swift who emerged as the front-runner with a remarkable total of seven nominations, cementing her status as one of the industry’s most prominent artists.

Right on her heels were Olivia Rodrigo and SZA, both garnering six nominations, a testament to their remarkable contributions to the music scene.

Adding to the anticipation were other notable artists, including the Italian rock sensation Måneskin, displaying remarkable versatility and musical prowess with their four nominations.

Joining them in the ranks of four-time nominees were Doja Cat. And the ever-iconic Miley Cyrus, whose dynamic career has been marked by constant reinvention. The one and only Nicki Minaj, reaffirming her enduring impact on the music industry.