MTV EMAs: Jared Leto tells London crowd America is 'a land of immigrants…we welcome you'

Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds to Mars speaks on stage during the 2017 MTV European Music Awards. (Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images for MTV)

Last November, the MTV European Music Awards called out U.S. politics when Green Day lead singer Billie Armstrong told the audience that it was a relief to get away from the United States during the "horrendous" presidential campaign. "The entire country is about to have one big collective heart attack," Armstrong said during his acceptance speech.

This year, unlike many award shows, the EMAs (taking place at Wembley Stadium in London) stayed away from anything overtly political. Although when Jared Leto's band Thirty Seconds to Mars accepted the award for best alternative act, he had a message he wanted to get across.

"Europe, you have changed our lives. This is for you, this is about you. And we stand here proudly on this stage tonight in celebration of you," Leto said. "We are Americans, a land of immigrants — and we just want to say that we welcome you with open arms and with open hearts and we love you. God bless you."

[Here's why a Joker movie could work — even without Jared Leto]

The other speeches mostly thanked managers, labels, etc. — although when U2 received the Global Icon Award, Bono got creative, belting out a few lines of U.K. rapper Stormzy's "Blinded by Grace."

Stormzy performs at the 2017 MTV European Music Awards. (Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Meanwhile, Stormzy sang his hit "Big for Your Boots" on stage in a police car during the two-hour telecast, which also included performances by host Rita Ora ("Your Song"); Demi Lovato ("Sorry Not Sorry"); Camila Cabello ("Havana"); Kesha ("Learn to Let Go"); Liam Payne ("Strip That Down"); and Eminem, who performed his new track "Walk On Water" with guest artist Skylar Grey.

Demi Lovato performs onstage at the EMAs. (Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

Eminem also won the award for best hip-hop over acts such as Drake, Future and Kendrick Lamar, and seemed a bit confused by the honor.

"I'm not really sure how I got this, I haven't had an album out in a few years," Eminem said, but he assured everyone that he will have a record out soon.

Eminem performs on stage during the 2017 MTV European Music Awards. (Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images for MTV)

Vine sensation turned pop star Shawn Mendes had a big night, winning best song for "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" and best artist, the most coveted prize. Here's the rest of the winners and nominees:

BEST SONG
Clean Bandit — Rockabye ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie
DJ Khaled — Wild Thoughts ft. Rihanna, Bryson Tiller
Ed Sheeran — Shape of You
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee — Despacito (Remix) ft. Justin Bieber
Shawn Mendes — There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back (winner)

BEST HIP HOP
Drake
Eminem (winner)
Future
Kendrick Lamar
Post Malone

BEST VIDEO
Foo Fighters — Run
Katy Perry — Bon Appétit ft. Migos
Kendrick Lamar — HUMBLE. (winner) 
KYLE — iSpy ft. Lil Yachty
Taylor Swift — Look What You Made Me Do

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Imagine Dragons
Lana Del Rey
Lorde
The xx
Thirty Seconds To Mars (winner)

BEST POP
Camila Cabello (winner)
Demi Lovato
Miley Cyrus
Shawn Mendes
Taylor Swift

BEST ROCK
Coldplay (winner)
Foo Fighters
Royal Blood
The Killers
U2

BEST NEW
Dua Lipa (winner)
Julia Michaels
Khalid
KYLE
Rag'n'Bone Man

BEST ELECTRONIC
Calvin Harris
David Guetta (winner)
Major Lazer
Martin Garrix
The Chainsmokers

BEST LIVE
Bruno Mars
Coldplay
Ed Sheeran (winner)
Eminem
U2

BEST ARTIST
Ariana Grande
Ed Sheeran
Kendrick Lamar
Miley Cyrus
Shawn Mendes (winner)
Taylor Swift

BEST WORLD STAGE
Steve Aoki — Live from Isle of MTV Malta 2016
Kings of Leon — Live from Oude Luxor Theatre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2016
DNCE — Live from Isle of MTV Malta 2017
The Chainsmokers — Live from Isle of MTV Malta 2017 (winner)
Foo Fighters — Live from Barcelona 2017

BEST PUSH
Hailee Steinfeld (winner)
Jon Bellion
Julia Michaels
Kacy Hill
Khalid
KYLE
Noah Cyrus
Petite Meller
Rag'n'Bone Man
SZA
The Head And The Heart

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