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Singer Charli XCX, whose album Brat inspired a cultural phenomenon last year, was the big winner at the 2025 Brit Awards, picking up five prizes.
Britain’s pop music honours, hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall were held in London on Saturday,
Fresh from winning three Grammys, Charli XCX — full name Charlotte Aitchison — took home album of the year, the evening’s most coveted gong.
The 32-year-old beat off competition from veteran rock band The Cure, seven-time Brit winner Dua Lipa, jazz group Ezra Collective, and indie-rockers The Last Dinner Party.
With its lime-green cover and celebration of a relaxed, partying lifestyle, Charli XCX’s sixth album transformed her into one of the top music stars in 2024.
It redefined the word “brat”, which even became associated with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris when fans began applying the coloured “brat” filter to the nominee’s images.
Charli XCX, who had led nominations, was also named artist of the year and best dance act. Her single Guess, featuring Billie Eilish, won song of the year beating tracks including the Beatles’ Now and Then.
She had already won her first Brit, songwriter of the year, earlier this week.
“I’ve always felt like an outsider in the industry but particularly in the British music industry and so it feels really nice to be recognised on this album,” she said as she received the album of the year award.
“I would just like to share this with all artists who have ever felt that they need to compromise to be recognised and to have their moment in the sun because I think I’m living proof that maybe it takes a long time, but … you don’t need to compromise your vision.”
The singer, who released her debut studio album in 2013, said she would “probably never” make a record like Brat again.
Charli XCX posed with her fiancé, The 1975’s George Daniel, on the Brit Awards red carpet. Credit: JMEnternational/Getty Images
Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter among other Brit winners
Jazz quintet Ezra Collective was named group of the year, while Sam Fender won best alternative/rock act, and Stormzy was awarded best hip-hop/grime/rap act.
“This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs and great teachers and the great schools that support young people playing music,” Ezra Collective drummer Femi Koleoso said in one of several of the night’s acceptance speeches that called for more support for young musicians and grassroots venues.
US singer Chappell Roan won international artist of the year while her track Good Luck, Babe! won international song of the year.
Sabrina Carpenter won the global success award. Source: AAP / Matt Crossick/PA
Espresso singer Sabrina Carpenter was named the first international recipient of the global success award, which recognises artists with “phenomenal global sales”, following in the footsteps of One Direction, Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Sam Smith.
Lola Young, who’s risen to fame off the back of her hit song Messy, best pop act winner JADE, and US crooner Teddy Swims were among the night’s other performers.
The ceremony also featured a tribute dedicated to , who died in October after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band, one of the most popular of all time.
