With the MTV Video Music Awards almost two months behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to the MTV European Music Awards (EMA).
It’s no surprise that, as E! reported, Taylor Swift received the most nominations for the MTV EMA Awards with 9. She had the most nominations for the MTV VMAs (9) where she won four statues. Justin Bieber, the second-most nominated artist for the MTV EMA Awards (6), didn’t take home any VMAs, unless you count the fact that he was featured in “Where Are U Now” by Skrillex and Diplo, which won for Best Visual Effects.
The two are nominated against each other at the 2015 MTV EMA Awards for Best Pop Artist. Others receiving an EMA nomination for the same category include 5 Seconds of Summer, Ariana Grande, and One Direction. Swift and Bieber also bump into each other as they receive 2015 MTV EMA nominations for Best Collaboration (“Bad Blood” and “Where Are U Now?”), Biggest Fans, and Best Look.
Swift’s nine MTV EMA nominations , as USA Today points out, is the most in MTV EMA history. She could also take home the Best Female, Best Live Act, and Best Video 2015 MTV EMA trophies.
The only other video that was also nominated for a 2015 MTV VMA — which Taylor won — that is trying for the MTV EMA version is Kendrick Lamar with “Alright.” They’re joined in Europe by Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis (“Downtown”), Pharrell Williams (“Freedom”), and Sia (“Electric Heart”).
Nicki Minaj, who recently got people talking during New York Fashion Week , was nominated for MTV EMA categories that include Best Female, Best Hip Hop, Best Collaboration (with David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, and Afrojack for “Hey Mama”), and Best Look. She won a VMA for “Anaconda,” so she’ll need to win at least one MTV EMA to stay on pace.
Artists trying for their first MTV EMA in the Best New Act category include Echosmith, James Bay, Jess Glynne, Shawn Mendes, and Tori Kelly. Of those artists, only James Bay was nominated for the Artist to Watch VMA, which he lost to Fetty Wap.
Ellie Goulding, one of the few Europeans actually up for an EMA, is up for Best Song (“Love Me Like You Do”) and Best Female. She was nominated for one VMA but lost to Taylor Swift.
The artists have over a month until they find out if they’re taking home a MTV EMA. The event takes place on October 25 at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan and will air live on MTV.
[Image credit Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]