Liam Payne and Rita Ora were seen getting up close and very personal behind the scenes of a VMAs concert – despite the fact they’re both in relationships.
The former One Direction star – who recently split from pop singer Cheryl and has been dating model Cairo Dwek – couldn’t keep his hands off glam Rita, who has been linked to musician Andrew Watt.
Both artists were in New York City for the MTV VMAs on Monday night and had performed onstage at Bebe Rexha’s VMA kickoff concert on Sunday.
Up close and personal: Liam Payne and Rita Ora were seen grinding behind the scenes of Bebe Rexha’s VMA kickoff concert at Terminal 5 in NYC on Sunday night
Liam was caught on camera with his arms draped around the singer while they swayed to the music. They were also seen whispering in each other’s ears
But the pair were later spotted getting intimate backstage of the venue, dancing and chatting closely to each other.
In exclusive footage obtained by DailyMail.com, filmed by fan Michal Jacobs, 22, the 24-year-old heartthrob is seen with his arms draped over Rita’s shoulders while she appears to grind against him.
The pair were also seen whispering in each other’s ears as they swayed to the music.
Michal, from Englewood, New Jersey, said: ‘I was standing right at the front and at the end Liam and Rita were standing by the side and dancing together.
‘They were standing there talking, laughing, smiling and dancing.
‘She was in front of him and his arms were wrapped around her.
‘It definitely could have been something romantic but they didn’t kiss or anything.
‘It was during the song Meant To Be and they were just dancing and laughing with each other.
‘He was holding onto her and his hand was on her neck.
Liam and Rita both took the stage to perform their steamy Fifty Shades of Gray hit, ‘For You’ on Sundat night
Rita has been linked to musician Andrew Watt for several months. The two were photographed together at award show on Monday night
‘I was with two friends but people weren’t really noticing.
‘They were clearly enjoying the performance.’
Liam and Rita had performed their steamy Fifty Shades of Gray hit, ‘For You’ onstage at the concert at Terminal 5, in Manhattan.
Liam later shared a snap from the night on Instagram with the caption: ‘That was fun! @RitaOra. @vmas.’
Liam, who welcomed his son, Bear, last year with Cheryl, 35, announced his split from the singer last month.
He was spotted holding hands with model Cairo Dwek in Italy last week. The couple were also seen having an intimate dinner in Lake Como.
Rita has been linked to Andrew Watt since early this year. The two were also seen vacationing in Italy in June, and most recently, cruising on a yacht with friends Michelle Rodriguez and Jordan Barrett in Porto Cervo.
The couple were photographed together at the awards show last night.
Liam, who welcomed his son, Bear, last year with Cheryl, 33, announced his split from the singer last month. He had since moved on with model Cairo Dwek (right) and the two were spotted in Italy last week