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The Brit Awards returned last night (Tuesday 11 May) to honour some of the best from the music industry.
Overall it was the women who stole the show.
Hosted on ITV, this was the first indoor event for the UK since before the pandemic began last March.
There were no masks or social distancing required while people were in their seats, but everyone had to have a negative Covid test result before they could enter.
The live audience that was made up of 4000 people consisted mainly of keyworkers.
There were musical performances from talented artists including; Arlo Parks, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Elton John, Olly Alexander and Olivia Rodrigo
The night ended with a powerful performance from Rag’n’Bone Man, Pink and the NHS Choir.
The Female Winners
Dua Lipa
Not only did she take home Best Female Solo Artist and Album of the Year, but she also took the opportunity to speak up for NHS staff.
She said: “It’s all very good to clap for [NHS staff] but we need to pay them.
“I think what we should do is we should all give a massive, massive round of applause and give Boris a message that we all support a fair pay rise for our front line.”
This took the country by a storm and even sparked a response from the government this morning. Huffington Post UK posted an article with the response.
She also took a moment to dedicate her Best Album win to London Bridge heroes Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole and Joaquin Garcia who both put their lives at risk to help save a woman who had fallen into the River Thames. Folajimi, known as Jimi, tragically died while attempting to save her.
Billie Eilish
Eilish is one of the few artists that have won “Best International Female Solo Artist” for the second year in a row.
Eilish couldn’t hide her excitement in her video acceptance: “This is an honor, The BRITs were so magical for me last year and I think about it all the time.
Thank you so much, I miss you.
I can’t wait until I can come back.”
Little Mix
Ten years after being the first group to win the X Factor, they became the first all-female band to win “Best Group” at the Brits.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock said: “It’s not easy being a female in the UK pop industry. We’ve seen the white male dominance, misogyny, sexism, and lack of diversity.
Jade Thirlwall said: “The fact that a girl band has never won this award really does speak volumes.
“So this award isn’t just for us, it’s for the Spice Girls, Sugababes, All Saints, Girls Aloud, all of the incredible female bands, this one’s for you.”
Haim
Haim snapped up the award for “Best International Group”, the first female band to take the award home in almost 20 years.
Este began her speech saying: “First of all, let me get my bearings.
“The UK was the first place to ever embrace us, in the entire world.
“For that, honestly, we will be forever grateful.
“I’m like shaking, wow, and I’m usually so composed.”
Taylor Swift
Miss Swift becomes the first woman in history to win the award for “Global Icon”.
Her name now sits with Sir Elton John, David Bowie and Robbie Williams, as the only previous winners of the award.
While accepting the prestigious award, Swift said: “I need you to hear me when I say that there is no career path that comes free of negativity.
“If you’re being met with resistance, that probably means that you’re doing something new.
“If you’re experiencing turbulence or pressure, that probably means you’re rising.
“And there might be times when you put your whole heart and soul into something and it is met with cynicism or skepticism.
“Because we live in a world where anyone has the right to say anything that they want about you at any time – but just please remember that you have the right to prove them wrong.”
Arlo Parks
Parks won Breakthrough Artist last night after taking the music industry by force.
In two years, she went from writing songs in her bedroom, to winning a Brit Award.
She said: “This is a dream come true, I didn’t expect any of this.
“For anyone who’s out there, dreams come true, you know I’m living proof of that.”
Griff
English musician, Griff, took home the Rising Star award
She said: “Hi, I’m at the Brits guys!”
The 20-year-old went on to thank her family, God and her team who have worked with her since she was a “headstrong teenager in school”.
She finished by saying: “All of you keyworkers, you’re incredible – and thank you to everyone who’s had me here.”
International Male Solo Artist was awarded to The Weeknd, Male Solo Artist went to J Hus and Harry Styles took home the British Single award.
Click below for The Brits full playlist to catch up.
