- Title: Zara Larsson, YUNGBLUD tease MTV Europe Music Awards performances
- Date: 6th November 2020
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 5, 2020) (REUTERS VIA ZOOM) (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH SINGER-SONGWRITER, YUNGBLUD, ON THE SECOND LOCKDOWN IN ENGLAND, SAYING: "I hate it, but as I say, I think me and kind of my team, we always work amazing when we've got something to kick against and my fan base, we do and we definitely have something to kick against. So let's do it."
- Embargoed: 20th November 2020 17:22
- Keywords: MTV Europe Music Awards YUNGBLUD Zara Larsson music
- Location: VARIOUS FILMING LOCATIONS / LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / UNKNOWN FILMING LOCATION
- City: VARIOUS FILMING LOCATIONS / LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / UNKNOWN FILMING LOCATION
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA00ED3FL1ZH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Singers Zara Larsson and YUNGBLUD teased their upcoming MTV Europe Music Awards' performances despite the lack of a live audience at this year's show.
The awards ceremony on Sunday (November 8) will feature virtual prerecorded performances from several big names in music.
Larsson described her performance as "sophisticated" yet "sexy and dark" in a Reuters interview on Friday (November 6). The Swedish singer said it fits well with the format, although she tried to maintain the "live feeling" that she misses.
"I think once you perform, you perform, but I do miss the energy from the crowd that they give so much back to you when, you know it's kind of a loop. You give them energy and they give you back and then you get so much energy from them and you give that back and then it just goes like that," said the 22 year-old.
YUNGBLUD, real name Dominic Harrison, admitted to Reuters he was surprised at how much MTV was willing to let him do with his performance, joking that his requests were "unreasonable".
"It's kind of like someone just let my imagination go," he added on Thursday (November 5).
The British singer-songwriter was also stunned by his EMA nominations for Best Push and Best New Artist (breakthrough artist award), especially given his humble and recent origins.
"We literally like played across the road to 200, 100 people, 80 people a year and a half ago. And now we're playing the EMAs. And what is happening? I would love to know. Someone please tell me, because I would love to know," he said.
Larsson has also been put forward for an EMA, in the Best Nordic category. The "Lush Life" singer, said she was so grateful to be appreciated for where she comes from.
"I've always wanted to be an international artist, but the older I get... the more thankful I feel that I started off in my home country. In Scandinavia... I have that huge support just always backing me in a way. I think that feels really nice," she said.
Both young artists were forced to postpone album releases this year. Larsson is awaiting the release of her second record, "Poster Girl" and YUNGBLUD's "Weird!" will drop on December 4.
Larsson explained how she felt pressure following the massive success of her first album, "So Good", in 2017 as fans expect each album to be better than the last, but she said her main focus was creating a "really, really good album".
Reflecting on his album delay and the second lockdown in England, YUNGBLUD said he hated it but was embracing it, explaining he and his team work best when presented with "something to kick against".
Performances for the EMAs, which will be hosted by British girl band Little Mix, were filmed in various locations across Europe. The line-up includes Sam Smith, Maluma, David Guetta and Alicia Keys. Lady Gaga leads the nominations this year with seven.
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