Dua Lipa was the first winner at the 2018 Brit Awards in London on Wednesday night (21Feb18), taking home the Best British Female Solo Artist prize.
The 22-year-old singer, who led the nominees with five nods going into the night, beat Paloma Faith, Kate Tempest, Jessie Ware, and Laura Marling to claim the award.
After accepting her trophy from Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and Kylie Minogue, Dua said, “I want to thank every single female that has been on this stage before me and has given girls like me a place to be inspired by and (someone to) look up to and allow us to dream. Here’s to more women on these stages, winning these awards and taking over the world.”
U.K. grime star Stormzy was also an early winner after nabbing Best British Male Solo Artist from Ed Sheeran, while Foo Fighters were named Best International Band.
The awards bash opened with a performance by Justin Timberlake, who wowed the crowd at the O2 Arena with his track Midnight Summer Jam, before he was joined by Chris Stapleton for their hit duet Say Something.
Before the ceremony, Jorja Smith was announced as the winner of the Critics’ Choice Brit Award, while Steve Mac was named British Producer of the Year.
Stars arrived at the event wearing white rose pins and holding white roses in support of the Time’s Up and #MeToo anti-sexual harassment and abuse movements.
Dua Lipa and Rag’n’Bone Man were also among the early performers, with the acclaimed bluesman teaming up with the newly crowned Critics’ Choice winner Smith.
