The BRIT Awards 2021 were held at The O2, London, UK on May 11 to honor outstanding achievements in British and international music. Considered the "British Grammy", the results of the BRIT Awards are awaited by audiences around the world.
Held amid the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's awards ceremony had many differences compared to usual, with the participation of 4,000 guests who are working in key areas of the community such as health, education, transportation, security, public services, etc. to show their gratitude during the long pandemic. All audiences must have a negative Covid-19 certificate, wear masks but are not required to social distance in The O2 auditorium.
During the awards night, Taylor Swift was honored with the "Global Icon" award and became the first female artist in history to be awarded this title. Actress Maisie Williams, who presented the award to Taylor, said that "her ability to fight for what she believes in has made Swift an inspiration all over the world." The organizers played a video in which many friends such as Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, and Zoë Kravitz talked about their memories with Taylor Swift.
The Global Icon award, which honors artists who have made a huge impact through music, has previously been awarded to Robbie Williams, Elton John and David Bowie. In her acceptance speech, she thanked her British fans for their support over the past year, which has inspired her to release two albums in a row. The singer encouraged the audience: "When you put your heart and mind into something and you're met with doubt, don't let it get you down. Let it motivate you."
Last year, Taylor Swift had to cancel her global tour but found success when she quietly released two albums, Folklore and Evermore. She made Grammy history as the first female singer to win the "Album of the Year" award three times thanks to Folklore. This achievement puts her in the same league as her seniors like Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. She is highly appreciated by experts for her experimentation with indie folk music.
BRIT Awards 2021 - Winners List:
- Best British Album: Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
- Best British Single: Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar
- Best British Male Artist: J Hus
- Best British Female Artist: Dua Lipa
- Best British Group: Little Mix
- Breakout Artist: Arlo Parks
- Best International Male Artist: The Weeknd
- Best International Female Artist: Billie Eilish
- Best International Group: HAIM
- Global Icon: Taylor Swift
