On a cold east London night on the 2025 Brit Awards, U.S. native Sabrina Carpenter opened the evening flanked by the King’s Guard.
As all the time, the “Brief n’ Candy” star dazzled with a glowing corset bodysuit, impeccable vocals and salacious dance strikes (so salacious, in reality, that viewers threatened to complain to the nation’s communications common, Ofcom). Renditions of Espresso and Mattress Chem had been aptly anglicized by large union jacks cascading both aspect of the O2 Area stage.
The Hollywood Reporter was seated on the U.Okay.’s largest music awards present. In a while within the evening, Carpenter acquired the Brits’ first-ever world success award. “In a really primarily tea-drinking nation you guys streamed the shit out of Espresso,” she laughed. “And also you’ve actually understood my dry humorousness as a result of your humorousness is so dry. So, I really like y’all greater than you even perceive.”
Carpenter picked up the award from none aside from Stranger Issues‘ Millie Bobby Brown, who seemingly took a break from The Electrical State press and made a shock look in a chainmail costume on the Brits carpet. After handing over the honour to her “shut good friend,” the cameras minimize, and Brown and Carpenter walked hand-in-hand off the stage, hugging as they departed for separate tables.
British comic Jack Whitehall was emcee-ing for the night and never pulling any punches. With insults flung at Teddy Swims (“the voice of an angel and the face of a faculty desk”) and YouTuber KSI (“He’s a Britain’s Acquired Expertise decide now as properly… That’s like Stephen Hawking judging Strictly Come Dancing“), Whitehall swiftly set the tone for the night. He was even caught telling a bunch of celebrities — amongst them, Brit nominee Djo a.okay.a actor Joe Keery — to sit down down. However Whitehall stored issues courteous behind the scenes: he repeatedly thanked his victims for being good sports activities with a hug through the breaks.
Chappell Roan, absent from the ceremony in particular person however current in video message type, picked up greatest worldwide music for Good Luck, Babe!, however as soon as the temperature had cooled post-Carpenter efficiency, the night was a Charli XCX sweep. The “brat” singer took residence greatest British album, greatest British artist, greatest dance act and music of the yr for Guess feat. Billie Eilish. “Thanks, Billie,” the 365 singer stated throughout her acceptance speech for SOTY. “I requested if she wished to be on this music three days earlier than capturing the video. Not all artists are [as] spontaneous.”
The highest expertise had been mingling among the many tables positioned on the heart of the 20,000-capacity area (praying Whitehall wasn’t behind them). McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones had been sat collectively, and Rivals star Danny Dyer was totally ignored for his neighbor, who — sure — had come dressed as a horse. It wasn’t fairly the Brits of the previous with names resembling Harry Types, Adele or Ed Sheeran lacking from the visitor record, however followers made do with Little Combine alum Jade Thirlwall (who promised the pop group “completely” will return), Lenny Kravitz and Jared Leto.
The politics was stored to a minimal, although Paloma Religion couldn’t assist however take a swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump earlier than she introduced the award for greatest dance act. Within the aftermath of Trump’s painstaking public row together with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Religion mentioned how the world has “gone unhealthy” and is full of “uncertainty”. She added: “Some persons are getting it mistaken, because of the voters of America.”
The viewers swooned whereas Newcastle-born Sam Fender thanked followers for his greatest various/rock act award, his humble demeanor solidifying his popularity as a down-to-earth artist, however essentially the most emotional portion of the night took maintain when Whitehall launched a tribute to Liam Payne. The One Course star died aged 31 final yr after a fall from a lodge balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Final October, we woke to the devastating information that Liam Payne had tragically handed away,” the host started. “He achieved a lot within the brief time that he was on this earth and was not solely a supremely gifted musician however an extremely form soul… We’ve got so many wonderful reminiscences of Liam right here on the Brits, so tonight we have fun his legacy.” Regardless of fervid rumors, fellow bandmates Types, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson didn’t reunite on stage. A montage of Payne laughing, singing and crafting music performed whereas 1D music Little Issues rang all through the venue. Tomlinson later wrote on X: “Thanks @BRITs. Lovely tribute. Miss you all the time brother.”
The operation was an unlimited one, with a purple carpet so chaotic in its set-up that even the largest musicians had been counting on their reps to be guided to the correct place. Candy moments included a nervous newcomer in Lola Younger, whose single Messy has skyrocketed her to stardom on TikTok, and the magnetic power of Swims, whose cape of stuffed animals turned a good few heads.
Finally, Charli XCX owned the evening with 5 wins on the 2025 Brit Awards. Different prizes for Raye, Carpenter, Thirlwall and Roan made it a night to recollect for the girlies. See THR‘s full record of Brit Awards 2025 winners right here.
