The 2021 BRIT Awards took place on the evening of May 11 at London’s O2 Arena — for a limited crowd of 2500 people — in celebration of the best music and artists of the past year.
The ceremony was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall and featured performances from Coldplay, Olivia Rodrigo, Arlo Parks, Headie One, Pink, Elton John and Years & Years and Dua Lipa.
It was a great night for the latter who not only won Best Female Solo Artist and Album Of The Year at the award show but stunned everyone in her golden-yellow Vivienne Westwood minidress and a hairstyle reminiscent of the late Amy Winehouse.
Meanwhile, Harry Styles — of course — was the epitome of his perfect Harry Styles self, taking home Best British Single for Watermelon Sugar and rocking a Gucci double-breasted suit and brown leather handbag.
In one of the night’s most memorable moments, former First Lady Michelle Obama presented The Weeknd with the nod for Best International Male, thanking the artist — who was controversially snubbed at the 2021 Grammys — for his contributions to the coronavirus relief effort, Black Lives Matter and food aid in Ethiopia.
And Taylor Swift became the first non-British woman and youngest person overall to win the Brits’ Global Icon Award, with Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams presenting her with the honour.
In her acceptance speech, Swift offered some words of motivation to the crowd saying, “If you’re being met with resistance, that probably means that you’re doing something new. If you experience turbulence and pressure, that probably means you’re rising.
“And there might be times when you put your whole heart and soul into something and it’s met with cynicism or scepticism. You can’t let that crush you. You have to let that fuel you.”
The 2021 BRIT Awards were carried out as a COVID pilot test, in order for the government to figure out how best to proceed with large-scale events moving forward.
Read on for the full list of winners from the 2021 BRIT Awards.
Female Solo Artist
Arlo Parks
Celeste
WINNER: Dua Lipa
Jessie Ware
Lianne La Havas
Male Solo Artist
AJ Tracey
Headie One
WINNER: J Hus
Joel Corry
Yungblud
Group
Bicep
Biffy Clyro
WINNER: Little Mix
The 1975
Young T & Bugsey
Breakthrough Act
WINNER: Arlo Parks
Bicep
Celeste
Joel Corry
Young T & Bugsey
Single of the Year
220 Kid with Gracey – “Don’t Need Love”
Aitch x AJ Tracey feat Tay Keith – “Rain”
Dua Lipa – “Physical”
WINNER: Harry Styles – “Watermelon Sugar”
Headie One feat AJ Tracey and Stormzy – “Ain’t It Different”
Joel Corry x MNEK – “Head and Heart”
Nathan Dawe x KSI – “Lighter”
Regard and Raye – “Secrets”
S1mba feat DTG – “Rover”
Young T & Bugsey feat Headie One – “Don’t Rush”
Album of the Year
Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams
Celeste – Not Your Muse
WINNER: Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
J Hus – Big Conspiracy
Jessie Ware – What’s Your Pleasure?
International Female Solo Artist
Ariana Grande
WINNER: Billie Eilish
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
Taylor Swift
International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Childish Gambino
Tame Impala
WINNER: The Weeknd
International Group
BTS
Fontaines DC
Foo Fighters
WINNER: Haim
Run the Jewels
Rising Star
WINNER: Griff
Global Icon
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.