Harry Styles lit up the stage on the 2023 Brit Awards in London on Feb. 11. After opening the present with a stunning efficiency of “As It Was” — in a red-hot sequin jacket, no much less — Styles accepted the award for artist of the yr, offered by Salma Hayek. His fellow nominees included Central Cee, Fred Again, George Ezra, and Stormzy. While the present has made makes an attempt at increasing its efforts for inclusivity lately, adopting gender-neutral classes final yr, the dearth of ladies nominees within the artist of the yr class reveals that there’s nonetheless work to be performed. The “Daylight” singer took the second to acknowledge the ladies who had been snubbed for the award.
“I’m actually, actually grateful for this, and I’m very conscious of my privilege up right here tonight.”
“I’m actually, actually grateful for this, and I’m very conscious of my privilege up right here tonight,” Styles mentioned. “So this award is for Rina [Sawayama], Charli [XCX], Florence [Welch], Mabel [Hill], and Becky [Hill]. Thank you a lot!”
Per week earlier, on the Grammys in Los Angeles, Styles accepted the award for album of the yr, making him the thirty third white man to take house the title within the present’s 65-year historical past. On stage, Styles mentioned, “This would not occur to individuals like me fairly often,” sparking controversy amongst followers on social media. While some followers directed their anger and confusion at Styles, award reveals have an extended historical past of excluding ladies nominees.
During his Brits speech, Styles additionally thanked his “understanding, affected person, loving household” and his mother “for signing me up for ‘X Factor’ with out telling me. I actually would not be right here with out you.” Before concluding his speech, Styles prolonged his due to Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, his unique One Direction household. “I would not be right here with out you both. Thank you a lot.”
Following his speech, Styles took a shot on stage with host Mo Gilligan, a convention he started in 2020 when he took a shot with host Jack Whitehall. Award in hand, Styles headed again to the viewers, the place he shared a candy embrace with his sister, Gemma.
Later within the night, the “Love of My Life” singer additionally took house Brit Awards for greatest pop/R&B act, tune of the yr, and album of the yr. See all of Styles’s acceptance speeches on the Brits forward.