Brit Awards 2025: Charli XCX Wins Big with Five Prizes
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The 2025 Brit Awards were a night to remember, with Charli XCX being the big winner, taking home five prizes, including best artist, best album, and song of the year. The pop star's seventh album, Brat, captured the cultural zeitgeist in a way that few artists ever manage, combining abrasive dance-floor beats, soaring hooks, and meme-friendly artwork. Charli XCX's multiple victories proved that she has finally been recognized for her unique sound, which she has been fighting to create for years, despite being told that her songs were too abrasive and uncommercial.
Other winners of the night included US star Chappell Roan, who picked up two awards, and Ezra Collective, The Last Dinner Party, Fontaines DC, and Stormzy, who each got one apiece. The ceremony was hosted by Jack Whitehall, who made a welcome return after four years away, and his jokes were close to the bone, including a passing reference to allegations surrounding some presenters on Brits broadcaster ITV. The night was also filled with memorable performances, including Jade Thirlwall's five-act melodrama about the cruelty of the music industry and her creative rebirth, and Sabrina Carpenter's vaudevillian mash-up of Espresso, Bed Chem, and Rule, Britannia.
The winners of the night used their speeches to criticize the way they are being treated by the music industry, with Myles Smith saying "Are we building careers, or are we just chasing moments - because moments fade and careers take time," and Chappell Roan adding "I had to write a lot of bad songs to get to the good ones - and artists deserve that freedom, to explore horrible concepts, and to flop, and rise, and not be pressured into making music based off of what's trending." Charli XCX also spoke out, saying "I feel like dance music, electronic music, gets a really bad rep because everyone is like, 'It's not that deep, is it? And I kind of feel it is," and "It feels really nice to be recognised on this album, when I haven't made any sacrifices." The music industry has been under scrutiny lately, and the Brit Awards were no exception, with many winners speaking out about the need for more freedom and support for artists.
The ceremony was not without its controversies, with some winners using their speeches to criticize the music industry, and others using their performances to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable. The night was also filled with unexpected moments, including Teddy Swims swimming in teddy bears, and a woman dressed as a horse appearing on stage with Danny Dyer. The awards themselves were designed by Gabriel Moses and were cast in bronze, weighing 1.6kg each, and Charli XCX had to pick up four of them for her winner's photo. The event was a huge success, with many winners and performers taking to social media to express their gratitude and excitement.
Some of the notable winners and nominees of the night included:
- Charli XCX - best artist, best album, song of the year
- Chappell Roan - best international artist
- Ezra Collective - best group
- Stormzy - best rap/hip-hop artist
- Jade Thirlwall - best pop artist
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