Jade Thirlwall Among Red Carpet Missteps as Olivia Dean Sweeps Brit Awards in Manchester
Jade Thirlwall appeared on a heavily scrutinised red carpet while Olivia Dean dominated the ceremony, taking home the night’s four biggest awards. The contrast between fashion controversies on the carpet and a decisive awards sweep in the arena sharpened the evening’s narrative.
Olivia Dean’s four-award sweep and on-stage moments
Olivia Dean, 26, left Co-op Live in Manchester with the night’s most significant prizes: artist of the year, best pop artist, song of the year and album of the year for The Art of Loving. Dean made three trips to the podium over the course of the evening and acknowledged her team on stage, saying, "It takes a lot of good people to make a good artist... I don't know what else to say. Thank you, bye!"
The song of the year win came for "Rein Me In, " a duet version with Sam Fender that was originally a Fender solo on his album People Watching before being released as a single with a new verse from Dean; that collaboration reached the top of the UK singles chart. Dean’s solo track "Man I Need" had also been nominated and has remained barely out of the UK Top 10 since its release in August. The song category was voted on by the public through WhatsApp, a voting method repeated for the international song award won by Rosé and Bruno Mars for "APT. " Dean also holds a recent international accolade, having won a major Grammy award this year for best new artist.
Jade Thirlwall’s carpet comment and nominations
Jade Thirlwall, who was nominated for both Artist of the Year and Best Pop Act, drew attention for her outfit choice on the red carpet and for a candid comment about her look. Thirlwall said she wanted "something practical" for the evening but also wanted to "serve c***, " a remark that became part of the night’s outspoken fashion conversation.
Tallia Storm, Fleur East and other red carpet misfires
Tallia Storm, 27, led early criticism for wearing a skin-tight, plunging catsuit with a cartoon-inspired print that many observers felt was out of step with the awards night. Fleur East, the host of Strictly It Takes Two, arrived in a brown satin co-ord featuring a dramatic white collar and sleeve detailing; observers noted the outfit appeared tight in places, which could make sitting through the ceremony uncomfortable for the Sax singer. Former Love Island star and influencer Molly Marsh was also singled out among the night’s worst-dressed names.
Rosalía’s performance, award and feathered gown
Rosalía combined spectacle on stage with a striking red carpet look. Her live performance of "Berghain" featured thunderous strings and Wagnerian-style vocals, shifting tempo three times and introducing a guest verse from Björk; that sequence concluded with a club-style breakdown and Björk in an elaborate blue-alien costume described as appearing to wear entrails. Rosalía also won the Brit for best international artist and told the audience she was honoured to take her music far from home and to share it with Spanish-speaking peers.
On the carpet, the 33-year-old wore a strapless feathered gown that commentators compared to a battle with swans, the look exposing her toned midriff as she posed for photos.
Hosts, surprise moments and other winners
Host Jack Whitehall presided over the first-ever Manchester staging of the ceremony at the Co-op Live arena, delivering rapid-fire jokes that referenced Alex Warren, Robbie Williams, Shaun Ryder and Bez, and quipping that Manchester mayor Andy Burnham seemed to be the only party he was allowed into these days. Whitehall’s material included a gag about a broadcast button to muffle swearing, and a joke about Peter Mandelson was edited out by the broadcaster.
Harry Styles opened the show in a Chanel pin-striped suit that evoked a school uniform; critics noted the high waistband but praised his recreation of challenging choreography. Other winners included Sam Fender, who took the alternative/rock prize — his third victory in that category after wins in 2022 and 2025 and following a critics’ choice award in 2019 — while Lola Young, who entered with five nominations, secured the breakthrough artist honour. Additional top honours were taken by Rosé, Wolf Alice and Mark Ronson across other categories. CMAT, nominated alongside Rosalía for best international artist, took the loss in stride with a mock tearful collapse for the cameras.
What makes this notable is the stark juxtaposition between Olivia Dean’s clean sweep — anchored by a second album that blends bossa nova, trip-hop, neo-soul and jazz and explores modern dating — and a night defined as much by wardrobe controversies and theatrical performances as by awards themselves.
