At the biggest night in British music, it was women who ruled the Brit Awards this year. By far dominating the evening and making it a Brat Brits, Charli XCX won five awards including the top award of the night, album of the year.

In her final speech, she said: “I always felt like an outsider, particularly in the British music industry, it feels really nice to get recognition for this album. I’ve not changed anything… I guess culture caught up with us and wanted to be on this journey.”

Having already secured herself as part of the pop canon as one-quarter of Little Mix, Jade Thirlwall is now carving out her own path in the music industry. And now, her own path includes her very own solo Brit award for best pop act.

She looked shocked to take home the prize and gave an emotional speech where she thanked her fans, her parents “for making me feel like it was a realistic goal to be a pop star ever since I was a little girl” and her former Little Mix bandmates “for changing my life.”

After opening the show with a huge medley number, which included a remix of Rule Britannia, Sabrina Carpenter became the first international artist to receive the global success award after breaking records in the UK charts, and across the world.

Whilst accepting her award, Carpenter spoke about coming to the UK with her mother when she was younger and no one knowing who she was, and now “coming back and getting to headline the O2”. She’s due to kick off her UK leg of her Short n’ Sweet next week.

Chappell Roan also won two Brit awards for international song of the year and international artist of the year. She wasn’t in attendance on the night but in her pre-recorded messages, she spoke about allowing artists room to make “bad art” and how the music industry needs to better support artists and their creativity.

After a record-breaking night for her last year, Raye also took home the award for best R&B act.

And the indie rock band The Last Dinner Party were awarded best new artist at this year’s ceremony, after winning the Brit rising star award in 2024. In their speech, they spoke about their gratitude for this win as well as the importance of small independent venues (“the lifeblood of the music industry”) and how they and everyone in the room “wouldn’t be here without them”.

Images: Getty