John Phillips/Getty ImagesGoing into the BRIT Awards — the British equivalent of the Grammys — Wednesday night, Dua Lipa had five nominations. By the end of the night, she’d picked up two.
Dua was the first winner of the night, in fact: She received her trophy for British Female Solo Artist from singer Kylie Minogue and Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.
She told the crowd, “I want to thank every single female that has been on this stage before me and has given girls like me…a place to be inspired by and [someone to] look up to and that have allowed us to dream this big. Here’s to more women on these stages, more women winning these awards and more women taking over the world.”
Dua also performed “New Rules” and was named Breakthrough Artist. She brought her little brother and sister onstage with her to accept her award. “At the bottom of my album [liner notes], I thanked everyone and I also told them to believe in magic, because it’s real,” she explained. “And this is the closest I’ve come to it so I wanted them to experience it first hand.”
While he was shut out of the four categories he was nominated in, Ed Sheeran received the Global Success award. He also performed “Supermarket Flowers,” his touching tribute to his late grandmother. Lorde was named International Female Artist, while Kendrick Lamar grabbed the International Male Artist trophy.
As previously reported, Ariana Grande was sick and forbidden to fly, so she couldn’t attend the ceremony. Her place in a special tribute to the victims of the Manchester Bombings was taken by former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, who sang the Oasis track “Live Forever.”
Rita Ora performed a medley of her hits, including her duet with Liam Payne on “For You.” Speaking of Liam, he put to rest any rumors that he and his partner, Cheryl Cole, were on the verge of a breakup by walking the red carpet together. Sam Smith also performed, even though he failed to receive a nomination.
Justin Timberlake opened the show with a performance of the song “Midnight Summer Jam.” Then he was joined by Chris Stapleton for their hit duet, “Say Something.”
“Human” by Rag ‘n Bone Man was named Best British Single and Harry Styles’ video for “Sign of the Times” took home the award for Best British Video.
Here’s a list of the winners:
British Male Solo Artist
Stormzy
Mastercard British Album Of The Year
Stormzy – Gang Signs And Prayer
British Female Solo Artist
Dua Lipa
British Single
“Human,” Rag’n’Bone Man
International Female Solo Artist
Lorde
International Male Solo Artist
Kendrick Lamar
International Group
Foo Fighters
British Group
Gorillaz
British Breakthrough Act
Dua Lipa
British Artist Video of The Year
Harry Styles, “Sign Of The Times”
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