Aug 20: She's nominated for Best Dance and Best Visual Effects at the 2018 MTV VMAs for her collaboration with the late Avicii on their track Lonely Together.

And getting ready for music's night of nights, Rita Ora kicked off the celebrations performing at the VMA Kickoff Concert on Sunday night at Terminal 5 in New York. 

The 27-year-old put on a stellar performance for her fans, even bringing up Liam Payne for their chart-topping duet For You. 

Rita stunned in a leopard printed ensemble for the evening performance. 

She flaunted her trim physique in a mini dress that hugged her curves and sported matching stockings. 

The UK native teamed her look with a pair of green satin kitten heels.

Rita opted to have her blonde locks styled back into a sleek straight ponytail. 

Her makeup was bronzed and luminous with attention drawn to her well contoured cheekbones and bold eyes.

The Girls singer completed her glam with a nude glossy lip and accessorised with large drop earrings. 

And Rita and Liam weren't the only show-stoppers, with Bebe Rexha and Madison Beer also headlining. 

The show was hosted by supermodel Winnie Harlow. 

She wrote: 'NYC!! My babe Bebe and I are headlining the VMA Kickoff Concert this Sunday night!! It's gonna be wild and I'm cookin up a surprise FOR YOU!!' wrote Rita on Instagram earlier in the day. 

Rita will also perform on Monday night, with The Sun reporting her performance will be a tribute to her late friend DJ Avicii who died aged 28 on April 20. 

She will reportedly belt out their single Lonely Together - which was the Swedish musician's last song before he took his own life. 

A source told the publication: 'Rita was hit hard by Avicii’s death and she knew she wanted to do something special to properly celebrate him and his legacy.'  

Speaking about the singer's previous tribute performances, the insider continued: 'She has spoken about him on stage while performing the song but she was thrilled when the VMAs said they would like her to do something at the ceremony.'

'Details have been kept secret but it will not be a straightforward performance', they added. MailOnline has contacted Rita's representatives for comment.

Lonely Together - which was released in August last year - is nominated for the Dance Video and Visual Effects category, alongside the likes of Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa's One Kiss, and Ariana Grande's No Tears Left to Cry.

 
• rita ora
 
• vma kickoff concert
 
• liam payne