Best BRITs – The standout moments everyone is talking about from last night’s BRIT Awards

Below are some of the best bits, or best BRITs if you will.

Women doing it for themselves

Between Little Mix becoming the first girl band to win best British group and Taylor Swift bagging the global icon award (another first for womankind), this year’s ceremony was huge for female performers. Now comprising just three members – Jade Thirwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards – Little Mix were all about celebrating being a woman, sharing their win with all the other “incredible female bands” out there who have dominated the charts over the years.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/COxEyuCBAj6/

Dua Lipa’s speech

Taking home the gold in both the best female solo artist and Mastercard album of the year categories, Dua Lipa gave several moving speeches throughout the night – one of which she used as an opportunity to call for better pay/conditions for NHS workers. Dedicating her second win to Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, a British nurse and lecturer, the singer went on to say “it’s very good to clap for them, but we need to pay them. So 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 frontline.”

A powerful message from @DUALIPA tonight ?? #BRITs pic.twitter.com/KwP7tOr5dE

— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) May 11, 2021

Michelle Obama made a cameo

Yes, the former First Lady was also in attendance at the event… albeit virtually. On to present the best international male artist award (which went to The Weeknd), Michelle Obama popped up on the big screen to introduce the star. Thanking him for giving us all “a reason to dance” during an otherwise very tough year, Michelle was also sure to highlight the singer’s many charitable pursuits – commending him for his donations to Covid relief funds and his work regarding the Black Lives Matter movement amongst others. 

Lewis Capaldi cursed… a lot

A bit of a wildcard, no one ever really knows just what Lewis Capaldi might say… which is definitely part of his very relatable appeal. True to form his speech at last night’s award was heavy-handed on the expletives. Greeting guests with a charming “hello motherf*ckers”, Capaldi proceeded to drop quite a few F-bombs throughout and though the audience seemed to enjoy it, it was deemed a little much for TV – ultimately meaning that his piece was audio muted for the televised clip. Twitter was quick to find the uncensored version which you can watch below. 

For those of you who also had to watch ITVs completely unnecessary audio muted version of Lewis Capaldi at the #brits2021 pic.twitter.com/ABgxQlO9MN

— PopTvFilm (@PopTvFilm) May 11, 2021

Harry Styles had another handbag moment

As expected, the red carpet fashion was off the charts and while there are many standout looks that deserve a mention, two, in particular, come to mind – Harry Styles’ handbag moment and Billy Porter’s black magic getup. Channelling Grace Jones with his lace-trimmed Three as Four ‘fit, Billy let his shoes, accessories and make-up do the talking for him as did Mr Styles who donned a 70s-inspired Gucci ensemble, completing the statement look with a brown purse. Obviously, we’re all fawning over Dua Lipa’s camp Vivienne Westwood number too… but that goes without saying. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/COv6xWgBY0u/

Jack Whitehall’s sea shanty 

If, like me, you’ve spent much of the past year down a TikTok rabbit hole, then you’ll have gotten a front-row seat to the sea shanty craze that swept the platform mere months ago. Proving that he’s very much “down with the kids”, comedian Jack Whitehall (who presented the BRITs for the fourth time this year) treated viewers to his own version of the trend. Teaming up with Scottish singer Nathan Evans for the song, the lyrics poked fun at many of the event’s guests including Olly Murs who they joked they wouldn’t let sing. 

The return of live audiences 

Welcoming a 4,000 strong audience inside the O2 Arena for the ceremony, the BRITs was the first live music event to go ahead since the onset of the pandemic. Part of a government-run research programme investigating the feasibility of mass gatherings, attendees didn’t have to social distance or wear masks while there, though they did have to take two Covid tests to contribute to the study (one prior to the event, the other afterwards). Privy to performances from some of the world’s top artists – including Olly Alexander and Sir Elton John – the return of live gigs is a sure sign that normal life is imminent. 

What a finale!! ?? https://t.co/jtwkYc9m7E

— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) May 12, 2021

Feature image via @dualipa