Fans take to Twitter to express their disappointment that the show didn't acknowledge the star's death and even cut out a segment of his Best Dance win.
- Aug 22, 2018
AceShowbiz - Avicii fans have voiced their anger after the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards failed to pay tribute to the late DJ.
The Swedish superstar, real name Tim Bergling, was found dead at the age of 28 in April after reportedly taking his own life in Muscat, Oman and was collectively mourned by celebrities and fans alike.
However, one of the music industry's largest awards ceremonies failed to officially recognise his untimely death during its show at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Monday, August 20, in spite of reports claiming British singer Rita Ora would sing the duo's collaboration track, Lonely Together.
Instead, the Levels hitmaker was posthumously awarded Best Dance VMA for the 2017 track - the last song the musician released before he died - but even this accolade was cut short after show bosses decided not to dedicate a segment to the win and instead announce it in a short round-up clip.
The award also only garnered a one-line mention from his close pal Rita as she took to the stage alongside Bebe Rexha to present another award.
"I just found Avicii and I won Best Dance so please put your hands together for him," the 27-year-old songstress told the crowd briefly.
"Anyone gonna point out the MTV Video Music Awards didn't pay tribute to or even acknowledge Avicii's death? The only person who said anything about it was Rita Ora. So sad," one disheartened viewer wrote on Twitter, while another user questioned: "No Avicii tribute makes me sad, like not even rip?"
Others took aim at the night in general, making reference to the lack of an 'In Memoriam' section to honour music stars who have passed away in the last 12 months, and at Madonna's controversial tribute to the late Aretha Franklin, which was branded "disrespectful" and "self-indulgent".
"This was a mess. Flat performances (only Nicki (Minaj), Ariana (Grande) and Jennifer (Lopez) were actually REALLY good) no tribute to Avicii, an embarassing tribute to Aretha Franklin and this wins were a f**king joke. This was terrible (sic)," summarised one angry viewer.
