Rita Ora chokes up while honoring Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards

The singer could barely get the words out while paying tribute to the late Payne.

Rita Ora's grief was palpable while honoring the late Liam Payne on Sunday night.

Ora hosted this year's MTV Europe Music Awards, and she took a moment near the end of the show to pay tribute to Payne, who died nearly a month ago after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.

"I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us," Ora began, a note of grief in her voice. "We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight."

Related: Liam Payne, One Direction singer, dies at 31

Ora collaborated with the former One Direction member on their hit 2018 single, "For You." Last month, fans captured footage of Ora breaking down and leaving the stage while attempting to perform the song at a concert.

"Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew," she continued on the EMAs. "There were so many ways that we were talking about honoring him, and I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough."

"He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could," she concluded, her voice nearly breaking with emotion. "He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on this world. So, let's just take a moment to remember our friend, Liam."

Related: Liam Payne's family is 'heartbroken' after his death at 31, says he 'will forever live in our hearts'

Ora then introduced a short tribute video featuring images of Payne set to the tune of the One Direction song, "Night Changes.

Payne died on Oct. 16 at the age of 31 after he fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina. An autopsy revealed that he died of "multiple traumas" and "internal and external hemorrhages," as well as the fact that he had alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of death.

Related: One Direction's Niall Horan remembers final time he saw bandmate Liam Payne before his 'heartbreaking' death

Three individuals have been charged in Payne's death, one for abandonment followed by death and two for supplying narcotics.

His death has been met with an outpouring of grief from all who knew him, including his fellow former members of One Direction.

Payne is survived by his son Bear, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Cole, as well as his fiancée Kate Cassidy.