Photo: Mikke Po?yho?nen

In October, MTV announced that its 2023 MTV EMAs would be cancelled due to “volatility of world events.” And while the show didn’t go on, the awards have been handed out to artists who won the public voting.

TaP music star Lana Del Rey walked away with Best Alternative Act, while Eurovision 2022 winners Maneskin took the Best Rock Crown. They had to stave off competition from fellow nominees including Arctic Monkeys, Foo fighters and The Killers. 

But most of or readers will be more interested in the “Best Local Act” honours, which once again featured Eurovision alums.

In Switzerland, Gjon’s Tears took the top prize, while Italy honoured Maneskin.

The Best Nordic category featured three Eurovision 2023 artists: Norway’s Alessandra, Sweden’s Loreen and Finland’s Käärijä. They were up against Swedes Zara Larsson and Swedish House Mafia. 

In the end it was Finland’s Käärijä who cha cha’d to victory.

Full List of “2023 MTV EMA” Awards

Best Afrobeats: Rema
Best Alternative: Lana Del Rey
Best Artist: Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration: KAROL G and Shakira – “TQG”
Best Electronic: David Guetta
Best Hip Hop: Nicki Minaj
Best K-Pop: Jung Kook
Best Latin: Anitta
Best Live: Taylor Swift
Best New: Peso Pluma
Best Pop: Billie Eilish
Best Push: Tomorrow X Together
Best R&B: Chris Brown
Best Rock: Maneskin
Best Song: Jung Kook Featuring Latto – “Seven”
Best Video: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

2023 MTV EMA BEST LOCAL ACT AWARDS

Best African Act: Diamond Platnumz
Best Asia Act: BE:FIRST
Best Australian Act: Kylie Minogue
Best Brasilian Act: Matue
Best Canadian Act: Shania Twain
Best Caribbean Act:Young Miko
Best Dutch Act: FLEMMING
Best French Act: Bigflo & Oli
Best German Act: Kontra K
Best Hungarian Act: ajsa luna
Best India Act: Tsumyoki
Best Italian Act: Måneskin
Best Lat Am North Act: Kenia OS
Best Lat Am Central Act: Feid
Best Lat Am South Act: Lali
Best New Zealand Act: SIX60
Best Nordic Act: Käärijä
Best Polish Act: Doda
Best Portuguese Act: Bispo
Best Spanish Act: Samantha Hudson
Best Swiss Act: Gjon’s Tears
Best UK & Ireland Act: Tom Grennan
Best US Act: Nicki Minaj

18 Comments
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Toni
Toni
11 months ago

Loreen fans decided not to vote after seeing Käärijä fans announcing they’re using autoclickers to ensure his victory. Would’ve been interesting to see the actual votes rather than those made by a bot.

La Zorro
La Zorro
11 months ago
Reply to  Toni

Announced where? Proof would be necessary in this type of accusations, so sources here, thanks.

esc_fl
esc_fl
11 months ago

Bravo Gjon!

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
11 months ago

I was thinking I haven’t heard about these awards this year, and it seems they were cancelled because of the war (they think it’s inappropriate?), and France is under a high security alert (worried about terrorism?). Are there any realistic worries about the JESC going ahead? I know it always has despite previous concerns.

Jake
Jake
11 months ago

The Portuguese winner Bispo has been selected as one of the songwriters for the next Festival da Canção. Hopefully he’ll deliver something akin to his radio hits and not something he thinks will win jury votes at FdC.

Karl
Karl
11 months ago

Congrats Käärijä!! We all know you’re the real winner! <3

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
11 months ago

There are no ema’s this year though

Yuarith
Yuarith
11 months ago

Omg I’m so happy for him and Peso Pluma

Whisker
Whisker
11 months ago

The real winner! Yes!

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  Whisker

Loreen?

Vinzi
Vinzi
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Who?

Tino
Tino
11 months ago
Reply to  Whisker

In this case you can say it, he is the real winner of MTV EMA Best Nordic Act and no one can say otherwise. Just like Loreen is the real winner of ESC 2023 🙂
Both are great artists, stop playing like children.

Josh
Josh
11 months ago

So happy for Käärijä, and two of my favourite singers Shania Twain and Kylie Minogue for their wins!

Kobe
Kobe
11 months ago
Reply to  Josh

Padam ?

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
11 months ago

I’m over the moon about Kaarija win. He really is a star.

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

I’m happy for him, but I personally could not care less. The EMAs are completely unimportant, and immediately forgotten.

eivittu
eivittu
11 months ago

not Doda winning best Polish Act lol there are way better artists than her

Alaska
Alaska
11 months ago

Bispo (Best Portuguese Act) is one of the guest composers for Festival da Canção 2024. 🙂