Saweetie spoke out in support of the LGBTQI+ community at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) on Sunday.
The 28-year-old rap star hosted the awards ceremony at the Laszlo Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Hungary, and she used the platform to call for “respect” and unity.
Saweetie – who won the Best New gong on the night – said: “It’s so important we stand up for the LGBTQ+ community.”
MTV has faced criticism for hosing the event in Budapest after the country recently passed controversial legislation that’s been widely condemned as anti-LGBT.
The new law bans the display of content to children that portrays homosexuality or gender change.
Meanwhile, Yungblud followed a similar theme later in the night, when he hailed his own success in Budapest as a triumph of “individualism”.
YUNGBLUD’s #MTVEMA performance in one word? MWAH 💋 pic.twitter.com/6DUnYArmQU
— MTV UK (@MTVUK) November 14, 2021
The 24-year-old star was awarded the Best Alternative gong in the Hungarian capital, and in his speech, he reflected on his personal journey in the music industry.
He said: “This award is a tribute to individualism.
“This is an award for the 13-year-old boy from the north of England who was absolutely terrified to be who he was … and I would like to look down that lens right now and if you are out there and you feel like you cannot be who you are, you can be.
“Keep fighting, keeping being brilliant – your imagination and your individuality is the best thing you can have. People will try and bring you down.
“Trust me, people try and bring me down, but be proud … be proud of your colours, be proud to be who you are! This is a tribute to individualism.
“Thank you to everyone that voted! I love you, big love – goodnight!”
MTV Europe Music Awards 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
