Rita Ora gears up to host MTV EMAs: "I love a night on Canal Street, buckle up!"

This Sunday, November 10, some of the biggest names in music will descend upon Manchester's Co-op Live for the 2024 MTV EMAs.

Hosted by EMAs veteran Rita Ora, the ceremony will see performances from the likes of RAYE, Shawn Mendes and Benson Boone, with Taylor Swift leading this year's nominations.

Now, since we're so bloody excited for this year's shenanigans in Manchester, we just had to catch up with Rita to talk *that* iconic 2017 bath robe moment, nights on Canal Street and some surprises in store.

MORE: MTV EMA 2024 nominees in full

Rita, you're back hosting the EMAs this year, which is pretty exciting...

I love doing this job, it's really sick I'm able to do it again! I love doing the show - it's such a great platform for me to dress up and catch up with my friends, especially when they're in the UK. It was wicked in 2017, when they were in London; I was able to invite my friends over, and it just felt like a big party, and that's what I live for!

You've got so much history with the EMAs, too. Who can forget that iconic 2017 bath robe look?

Haha, I know! Everyone talks about that. I didn't think it'd be as big a press moment as it actually was. It was genuinely because I didn't have time to get my hair done! I was just like 'let's wear a robe,' and it worked out.

I've seen people dress up as it for Halloween and stuff - people really picked it up!

This year's ceremony's held at Manchester's Co-op Live - those Mancunians know how to party...

It's gonna be wild! I want to make sure we have that same club, party vibe that's outside, on the streets of Manchester, inside the building. There's nothing like drinking and going out and having a good time in Manchester.

Have you ever experienced a night on Manchester's infamous Canal Street?

Have I? I love Canal Street! Do you know what I love the most? I was saying to the MTV team, because some of them are from America, I was like 'you guys don't understand Manchester has given music culture, football culture; everything has to be factored into the show.

We've been figuring out a way to really honour Manchester in the right way. It's live TV, so there's only so much we can fit in, but we're trying to make it all feel like an homage to Manchester. We want to give artists a space to express themselves. There's a lot happening, I'm very excited!

WATCH: Rita Ora teases MTV EMAs 'surprises'

Do you have a favourite ever EMAs moment?

There was a moment, I'll never forget it, where it was Jared Leto and Kurupt FM. Those two people, it just doesn't make sense for them to be next to each other! I love that that's what the EMAs does, you can put all these people in one space.

That conversation just really made me laugh. It was organic, natural - it was perfect. That's what I love most about doing this. I was laughing for so long after that!

There are some huge performers this year - who are you most excited to see?

I really do love Shawn Mendes - he was there for the robe extravaganza in 2017! RAYE's special, too. I have a real personal connection with her; she supported me on tour back in 2017.

Now, seeing her do her own thing, it's about resilience. It's about not giving up. It's the same with Charli xcx and Sabrina Carpenter; I love seeing that longevity is sometimes worth it. In this industry, it's harder than ever, so having that sense of resilience is really important.

Finally, Rita, give us the hard sell - why should we all tune in to the EMAs on Sunday, November 11?

Aside from me and crazy outfits there'll be a lot of performers, a lot of surprises and we're going to really try to honour Manchester. We love a great Manchester football team, those legendary Manchester performers; everyone's invited! You don't know what to expect, and that's what makes amazing live TV. Buckle up!

The 2024 MTV EMAs will broadcast Sunday 10 November at 9pm GMT on MTV UK and Pluto TV, 10pm on Channel 5, and will be available on demand on Paramount+ from 12 November.