Rosalia wins international prize as CMAT and other artists warn of Reform UK’s rise
rosalia won the Best International Artist at the 46th BRIT Awards in Manchester as CMAT and a number of performers used the red carpet to warn about the rise of Reform UK and wider global tensions.
Artists press red carpet concerns about Reform UK
CMAT, Wolf Alice, Wet Leg, Self Esteem and Loyle Carner told reporters on the red carpet that musicians should not shy away from politics and that the growth of the far right was cause for alarm. CMAT, who had been nominated for international artist of the year at the ceremony in Manchester and is the Irish singer Ciara Mary‑Alice Thompson, said she was "not a big fan of anyone trying to argue that art is not a political place" and added, "Everything is politics. But more than ever, art is politics because you don't get to make art in a fascist state. Fascism is on the rise in every single country in the world. It's showing its ugly head in Ireland, it's showing its ugly head all over the UK and don't even get me started on America. "
Wolf Alice and Wet Leg link politics to current events
Wolf Alice bassist Theo Ellis, whose band won group of the year at the ceremony, said musicians "have the power to expose people to information they might not have got somewhere else" and argued artists had spoken up on issues such as the genocide in Gaza because "some of the major news outlets over the course of 2025 particularly were downplaying things and artists were taking up the mantle of that. " Ellis described the rise of the far right in the UK as "shocking" and pointed to the Green party victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection, with Reform in second, as evidence of "extreme times. "
Rosalia takes international artist award
The international artist prize went to Spanish singer Rosalia; other coverage spells her name Rosalía. The Daily Mail noted Rosalia, 33, beat contenders including Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga and accepted the award from JADE, saying, "It's such an honour to bring my music far from home and I would love to share this with all my peers who also make music in Spanish. " CMAT, 30, missed out on the Best International Artist award and dramatically collapsed into mock tears for the cameras when the winner was announced.
Censorship and staged moments on the night
During the ceremony, censorship became a talking point when US band Geese used their acceptance speech for international group to say "free Palestine, " a remark that was censored in the ITV televised broadcast. CMAT had earlier criticised Berlin film festival jury president Wim Wenders, who suggested cinema should "stay out of politics, " a comment that sparked a row and an open letter signed by 80 film professionals; CMAT called the stance "cowardice" and argued successful artists have often been separated from everyday life and from people who are oppressed.
Big winners and memorable moments at Co-op Live
The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards took place at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena for the first time. Olivia Dean, 26, swept four categories, winning Best Artist, Best Album, Best Song and Best Pop Act; she was nominated twice in Song of the Year for "Man I Need" and for "Rein Me In" with Sam Fender, the latter of which won. Olivia was also noted as the first woman since Adele in 2021 to claim the UK's No 1 single and album in the same week, with "Man I Need" and The Art Of Loving, both released in 2025. Noel Gallagher, 58, was honoured with Songwriter of the Year after reuniting with his brother Liam for their Oasis reunion tour. Lily Allen, 40, who did not attend the ceremony, failed to win in her nominated categories; the coverage noted her recent album chronicles the collapse of her marriage to David Harbour, 50, and an alleged affair with a person named 'Madeline. ' Wet Leg frontwoman Rhian Teasdale said, "I think that to be apolitical is political, " and guitarist Joshua Omead Mobaraki added, "Yeah, I don't want Reform UK to win any seats, " praising Hannah Spencer, the Green party's new MP, and congratulating the people of Gorton and Denton for their result.
Self Esteem, nominated for artist of the year, said: "This country's getting scarier and scarier. It's really serious now. " She sympathised with artists who felt they could not speak out but added, "I just can't not say what I think because it's too frightening. I'm genuinely terrified that we're going into a dark place, darker than where we are already. "
What comes next for the artists, broadcasters and any follow-up inquiries is unclear in the provided context.
