Justin Bieber pulled out of his Buenos Aires, Argentina concert during the performance on Sunday because of food poisoning, just hours after winning the Best Male award at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards the same day.
The 19-year-old triumphed as Best Male for the fourth year, also winning Best Canadian Act.
Bieber didn’t appear at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, Netherlands where the 20th annual awards were held, but described his fans as “incredible” in a video shown while accepting for Best Male.
The EMAs results came through ahead of Bieber’s third and last show in Buenos Aires, the latest South American tour stop on his tumultuous Believe tour, in which the most recent mishap saw the superstar asked to leave his hotel in Argentina after fan mayhem and preceding misadventures in Brazil.
After the win, the Canadian took to Twitter to thanks fans and revealed he had food poisoning, as well as posting a shirtless Instagram photo of himself hooked up to an arm drip.
“Sitting here with food poisoning and heard we won #bestmale at the #EMAs. Thanks everyone,” he wrote.
Elaborating on his condition, he continued, “Argentina been a rough day but the show must go on. I’m coming. This sucks. #sick food poisoning.”
Two IV’s later, show must go on. @Justinbieber is a soldier. #gladididnteatwhatheate #foodpoisoning #allbad
— Alfredo Flores (@AlfredoFlores) November 11, 2013
The teen added, “Not feeling so good. Actually pretty sick. Pulling it together. Argentina we got a show to do. Love u.”
Bieber took to the stage at the River Plate stadium after requiring two IV’s and cancelling his usual pre-show “Meet and Greet.”
Throughout the first part of Justin’s show, tweets from fans at the show revealed the singer looked “pale and afraid” and was being given water by members of his crew.
The “Beauty and A Beat” star took a longer break than usual seven songs into the concert, before returning to explain personally to fans that he couldn’t go on.
(Photo: Instagram “Food pois[o]ning is #allbad #musicmondays,” posted Nov. 10)
“So before I went to sleep last night I started feeling sick and I wanted to come out here and give you the best show,” the singer told the over 70,000-strong audience, which was then translated.
Justin continued, “But I’m not feeling too good and I think that I’m out of energy. I wanna say that I hate to do this because I hate disappointing any of my fans but I love with all my heart. You guys are incredible and I’m sorry once again (sic),” as the crowd screamed in dismay.
As ever Bieber’s fans rallied behind their boy, trending “#FeelBetterJustin” on Twitter on Sunday.
Manager Scooter Braun subsequently took to the social networking site to praise the pop singer for attempting to perform.
2nite im proud. @justinbieber cares & he gave his best. took courage & that’s what being a man is about. Tough kid. Get Better JB! love yah
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) November 11, 2013
As did a roll call of dancers, musicians, and others from the Believe tour cast and crew.
I have the utmost respect for @justinbieber for tonight… Gave it his all. #BelieveTour #trooper #feelbetter
— Aubree Storm (@AubreeStorm) November 11, 2013
Got a light case of good poisoning today. Not as bad as JB tho.At least I don’t have to perform a show either. Don’t know how he’s doing it
— Josh Gudwin (@YeshuaTheGudwin) November 11, 2013
@justinbieber feel better lil brodie your fans understand.
— IG: JONBOOGIEE (@JONBOOGIEE) November 11, 2013
Going against doctors orders he still went on stage tonight. The last thing Justin ever wants to do is let his fans down. — Alfredo Flores (@AlfredoFlores) November 11, 2013
He gave it his all but health always comes first. Proud of him for even getting out there and giving it a go. Today was a rough one.
— Alfredo Flores (@AlfredoFlores) November 11, 2013
Proud of JB. He was so worried about letting down his fans and he gave it his all tonight. Feel better!
— Dan Kanter (@dankanter) November 11, 2013
So much respect that he insisted on going back out there himself to tell the audience that the show could not continue.
— Dan Kanter (@dankanter) November 11, 2013
So incredibly proud of you @justinbieber for giving tonight all you had. We love you so much boss; feel better!
— Carlena Britch (@CarlenaBritch) November 11, 2013
Meanwhile at the EMAs, One Direction, Eminem, Miley Cryus and Katy Perry were among the big winners.
Eminem, who performed hits “Berzerk” and “Rap God,” received the Global Icon Award and picked up the Best Hip-Hop gong, simultaneously becoming the artist with the most EMAs wins ever.
In the equivalent category to Bieber’s Best Male, Katy Perry won Best Female , beating out strong rivals such as Lady Gaga, Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez.
Perry also performed “Unconditionally” on the night suspended from the ceiling closing her spot in a reflective bodysuit that dazzled dramatically in the Dome.
Boy band One Direction took Best UK & Ireland Act and Best Pop award, with Harry Styles winning the Best Look trophy.
Cyrus picked up her first EMA for Best Video with her hit “Wrecking Ball.” The 20-year-old opened the entire ceremony descending from the top of the Dome arena in a sci-fi themed set to perform “We Can’t Stop,” which also involved twerking with a midget and smoking a blunt onstage.
She returned later in the show to deliver a reportedly emotive rendition of “Wrecking Ball.”
(Photo: Twitter)
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Justin Timberlake, who had both led the nominations with five each failed to win one.
Show host Redfoo from LMFAO revealed 292 million votes were cast by fans for the EMAs, which is a new record and up from the 184 million tallied last year. Auxiliary hosting and backstage high jinks came in the shapes of Ariana Grande, Laura Whitmore, Louise Roe and Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy.
To see the full list of 2013 MTV European Music Award winners, visit here .
Bieber drops his sixth single “All Bad” from his “Music Mondays” series at midnight tonight.
(Photo: Instagram, the heartthrob and younger sister Jazmyn, posted earlier on Nov. 10).