19-year-old Shawn Mendez owned this year’s MTV EMAs when he emerged the night’s biggest winner. The Canadian singer took home the best artist award, beating old timers like Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.
The awards, held Sunday night (November 12) in London, surprised many with the biggest shocker being that song bird Taylor Swift – who had the most nominations – did not take home any award.
Shawn Mendez poses for a picture with his awards at the MTV EMAs 2017.
Mendez, who had fans screaming on top of their lungs each time his name was mentioned, even further beat Daddy Yankee’s Despacito, Ed Sheeran’s Shape of you, Rihanna’s Wild thoughts and Clean Bandit’s Rockabye when his track There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back took the gong for best song.
Mendez cemented his A-list status by also taking the award for best fans.
Alongside Mendes, other big winners at the event included Eminem who, to the surprise of many, took the award for best hip hop artiste beating Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Post Malone. Eminem, however, admitted being surprised to have won the award since he has not put out an album since 2013. He however promised his fans that new music will be released soon.
Due to MTV’s decision to scrap male and female categories for its Movie and VMA shows earlier this year, this was the first EMAs without gender-specific awards like best female artist and best male artist.
French Montana and Swae Lee perform their hit Unforgettable at the award show
British singer Rita Ora proved an entertaining host performing skits, songs and of course the traditional EMA hosting duties of elaborate costume changes.
The awards saw rapper Eminem make a come-back to the live stage with a performance of his walk on water.
Singer, Rita Ora hosted this year’s awards. COURTESY PHOTOS
Other standout performances from the night included: Kesha who delivered one of the EMAs more powerful moments with her empowerment anthem Learn to Let Go. French Montana had the audience dancing to his Unforgettable while Shawn Mendez had them falling in love with his performance of There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back.
David Guetta closed the night performing his new single Dirty, Sexy, Money alongside French Montana and Charli XCX.
Full list of winners at the 2017 MTV EMAs
Global Icon: U2
Best Song: Shawn Mendes, There’s nothing holdin’ me back
Best Artist: Shawn Mendes
Best Look: Zayn
Best New: Dua Lipa
Best Pop: Camila Cabello
Best Video: Kendrick Lamar, Humble
Best Live: Ed Sheeran
Best look: Zayn
Best new: Dua Lipa
Best pop: Camila Cabelo
Best Hip-Hop-: Eminem
Best Electronic: David Guetta
Best Rock: Coldplay
Best Alternative: Thirty Seconds to Mars
Biggest Fans: Shawn Mendes
Best Push: Hailee Steinfeld
Best World Stage: The Chainsmokers
Power of Music: Rita Ora
