What Is 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards

Overview

The 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards celebrated the year's most influential artists in music, pop culture, and digital media. Hosted in Amsterdam, the event marked a shift toward greater international fan engagement through real-time social media voting.

With performances from global superstars and surprise collaborations, the ceremony highlighted 2013’s biggest trends in music. The show emphasized fan interaction, with voting open through MTV’s website and app until the night of the event.

• November 10, 2013 was the official date of the ceremony, held at Arena Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
• Thirty Thousand fans attended in person, while over 150 million tuned in globally via MTV’s network.
• Justin Timberlake received the Global Icon Award, performing a medley including 'Mirrors' and 'Suit & Tie'.
• Miley Cyrus won Best Female, Best Video for 'Wrecking Ball', and Best Look, making her the top winner of the night.
• One Direction took home Best Pop and Best Fan, continuing their dominance in fan-voted categories.

Winners and Performances

The 2013 show featured electrifying live acts and surprise appearances that defined the year's pop culture moment. Performers were selected based on chart performance, fan demand, and industry influence.

• Justin Timberlake: Delivered a 15-minute medley of hits, marking one of the longest solo sets in EMAs history.
• Miley Cyrus: Performed 'We Can't Stop' and 'Blurred Lines' with Robin Thicke, sparking widespread media coverage.
• Thirty Seconds to Mars: Won Best Alternative and performed 'Up in the Air', a single from their album Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams.
• Rita Ora: Hosted the pre-show and performed 'I Will Never Let You Down', her debut single.
• BTS: Did not perform or win in 2013, as the group had not yet gained international prominence.
• LMFAO: Did not perform; the duo had disbanded earlier that year after Redfoo’s solo announcement.

Comparison at a Glance

Award categories and winners were compared across regions and genres to highlight global music trends in 2013.

The table illustrates how American artists dominated the 2013 EMAs, capturing 8 of 15 major awards. European acts like Emiliana Torrini from Iceland and Daft Punk from France also received recognition, reflecting the event’s pan-continental focus. Fan voting accounted for 70% of the final decision, with social media activity influencing the remaining 30%. This model emphasized real-time engagement over traditional industry juries.

Why It Matters

The 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards signaled a turning point in how global music accolades are awarded, placing unprecedented power in the hands of fans. The integration of digital platforms reshaped award show dynamics, making them more interactive and immediate.

• Social Media Voting: Over 120 million votes were cast online, setting a record for MTV’s award shows.
• Cultural Impact: Miley Cyrus’s performance sparked debates on sexuality and artistic expression in mainstream media.
• Global Reach: Broadcast in 180 countries, the EMAs expanded MTV’s international audience significantly.
• Artist Recognition: Justin Timberlake’s Global Icon Award acknowledged his decade-long influence on pop music.
• Marketing Power: Winners saw an average 200% increase in Spotify streams the week following the show.
• Legacy: The 2013 show set the template for future fan-driven ceremonies, influencing events like the Billboard Music Awards.

By blending live performance with digital interactivity, the 2013 EMAs redefined what an awards show could be in the social media age. Its legacy continues to shape how artists connect with audiences worldwide.