Jack Whitehall, Paloma Faith and Stormzy weigh in on the sexism row at the BRITS


Jack Whitehall, Paloma Faith and Stormzy weigh in on the sexism row at the BRITS after only ONE female artist wins in the non-gendered categories

  • Of 25 spots in the non-gendered categories only four nominations were filled by women, with only one female winner
  • During Tuesday’s ceremony at London ‘s O2 arena various celebs took to the stage to have a swipe at the disparity between male and female nominees
  • Jack Whitehall, Paloma Faith and Stormzy have all weighed in on the sexism row at this year’s BRIT awards after nominations saw just one female nominee.  

    Of 25 spots in the non-gendered categories only four nominations were filled by women, with only one female winner.

    And during Tuesday’s ceremony at London’s O2 arena various celebs took to the stage to have a swipe at the disparity between male and female nominees as they collected and presented awards. 

    Joker: Paloma Faith joked that males were 'underrepresented' at this year's BRITs while on stage with Kiefer Sutherland on stage at the O2 Arena, London

    Joker: Paloma Faith joked that males were ‘underrepresented’ at this year’s BRITs while on stage with Kiefer Sutherland on stage at the O2 Arena, London

    Mabel was the first female winner of the night, bagging a gong for best Female artist. 

    Following Mabel’s win, host Jack Whitehall said: ‘The Brits have been recycling the same excuses as to why so few female artists were nominated – but in this category they couldn’t avoid it!’  

    Upon winning Best Male Artist Stormzy also took the opportunity to have his say on the gender disparity while on stage.

    He said: ‘Firstly, always, I thank god – I give you all the glory! I am so happy, thank you to my mum and my incredible team.

    Supporting women: Upon winning Best Male artist Stormzy also took the opportunity to have his say on the matter while on stage

    Supporting women: Upon winning Best Male artist Stormzy also took the opportunity to have his say on the matter while on stage

    Supporting women: Upon winning Best Male artist Stormzy also took the opportunity to have his say on the matter while on stage

    ‘To be the best male, I’ve got the most incredible females in my team. The male is nothing without these incredible females. I love you guys, thank you!’

    Paloma Faith and Kiefer Sutherland were at hand to present the Best International Male. 

    During which time several jokes were made about the lack of female representation including one from Paolma who teased that the male category was severely ‘underrepresented’. 

    First female winner of the night: Mabel appeared in her element as she was announced and proudly went on stage to collect her gong

    First female winner of the night: Mabel appeared in her element as she was announced and proudly went on stage to collect her gong

    First female winner of the night: Mabel appeared in her element as she was announced and proudly went on stage to collect her gong

    Excuses: Following Mabel's win, host Jack Whitehall said: 'The Brits have been recycling the same excuses as to why so few female artists were nominated'

    Excuses: Following Mabel's win, host Jack Whitehall said: 'The Brits have been recycling the same excuses as to why so few female artists were nominated'

    Excuses: Following Mabel’s win, host Jack Whitehall said: ‘The Brits have been recycling the same excuses as to why so few female artists were nominated’

    The four females nominated in a non-gendered category were, Celeste – who went on to win the Rising Star category, Mabel for Best New Artist, Beabadoobee and Joy Crookes – also Rising Star nominees.

    After her daughter’s win early in the night Neneh Cherry looked every inch the proud mother as Mabel picked up the Female Solo Artist gong.

    The legendary singer, 55, couldn’t hide her delight as her Mad Love hitmaker daughter, 23, was announced as a winner and went on stage to pick up her first ever BRIT award. 

    BRIT Awards 2020: ALL THE WINNERS

    British Male Solo Artist

    Stormzy (WINNER) 

    Harry Styles

    Lewis Capaldi

    Dave

    Michael Kiwanuka 

     

    British Female Solo Artist

    Mabel (WINNER)

    Freya Ridings

    FKA Twigs

    Charli XCX

    Mahalia

     

    Song Of The Year

    Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved (WINNER)

    Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care

    Mabel – Don’t Call Me Up

    Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man – Giant 

    Dave featuring Burna Boy – Location

    Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus – Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

    AJ Tracey – Ladbroke Grove 

    Tom Walker – Just You And I

    Sam Smith and Normani – Dancing With A Stranger

    Stormzy – Vossi Bop 

    Group

    Foals (WINNER)

    Coldplay 

    Bring Me The Horizon

    D Block Europe

    Bastille 

     

    British Album Of The Year

    Dave – Psychodrama (WINNER) 

    Stormzy – Heavy Is The Head

    Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka

    Lewis Capaldi – Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent 

    Harry Styles – Fine Line

     

    International Male Solo Artist

    Tyler, The Creator (WINNER)

    Bruce Springsteen

    Burna Boy 

    Dermot Kennedy

    Post Malone

     

    International Female Solo Artist

    Billie Eilish (WINNER)

    Ariana Grande 

    Camila Cabello

    Lana Del Rey

    Lizzo

     

    New Artist

    Lewis Capaldi (WINNER)

    Aitch 

    Dave

    Mabel

    Sam Fender

     

    Rising star: Celeste, collected her award for rising star after giving a poignant performance of her hit 'Strange'

    Rising star: Celeste, collected her award for rising star after giving a poignant performance of her hit 'Strange'

    Rising star: Celeste, collected her award for rising star after giving a poignant performance of her hit ‘Strange’

    Another of the three female winners of the night, Celeste, collected her award for rising star after giving a poignant performance of her hit Strange.

    Smiling from ear to ear the star said: ‘I never thought this would happen for me.’ 

    There were no female performers included in the shortlists for best group or album awards. 

    At the largely male dominated awards Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy and Billie Eilish led the winners.

    Powerful performance: Under a soft spotlight the singer did a haunting rendition of her hit Strange

    Powerful performance: Under a soft spotlight the singer did a haunting rendition of her hit Strange

    Powerful performance: Under a soft spotlight the singer did a haunting rendition of her hit Strange 

    Lewis, 23, claimed two awards from four nominations, triumphing in the categories for New Artist and Song of the Year.

    The latter nomination was awarded for hit single Someone You Loved, a track Capaldi insisted was written for his late grandmother – not former girlfriend and current Love Island star Paige Turley.

    Meanwhile Stormzy, 26, picked up the award for Best Male Solo Artist in front of a star-studded audience that included ex-girlfriend Maya Jama. 

    The awards are voted for by around 1,500 people from across the UK music industry including journalists, record label employees and musicians. 

    Dream come true: During her acceptance speech she said: 'I never thought this would happen for me'

    Dream come true: During her acceptance speech she said: 'I never thought this would happen for me'

    Dream come true: During her acceptance speech she said: ‘I never thought this would happen for me’