Sam Smith has said it’s “a shame” that no women have been nominated for Artist of the Year at this year’s BRITs.
The award show, set to take place in February, removed gendered groups last year and Adele was the first to win the revamped category.
But Sam, who is non-binary, has shared their disappointment that no female artists have been nominated this time around.
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The Unholy singer said: “It is a shame. Things are moving forward, but it’s obvious it’s not there yet.
“From seeing that list, there is still a long way to go.”
Those nominated for Artist of The Year are: Central Cee, Fred Again, George Ezra, Harry Styles and Stormzy.
(Image: Scott Garfitt/Global/REX/Shutterstock)
Speaking to The Sunday Times about the lack of women nominated, Sam said: “It feels like it should be easy to do. [The BRITs] just have to celebrate everyone because this is not just about artists getting awards.”
They went on: “When I was young, if I’d seen more queer people at these awards it would have lit my heart. Awards are there to inspire.”
(Image: PA)
The BRITs organisers have said that the reason there are no women represented in the category, is because there are “fewer high profile women artists in cycle with major releases”.
Sam said Cat Burns, Anne Marie and Florence Welch should have been nominated.
Gendered categories were removed from the BRITs last year, with chairman Tom March saying at the time: “It is important that the BRITs continue to evolve and aim to be as inclusive as possible.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Adele became the first to win the gender-neutral category and she called out the BRITs bosses in a bit of a dig.
Accepting her award, she said: “This is amazing, I really wasn’t expecting this one at all. I love being an artist, I really do, and I genuinely can’t believe it’s my job,” as she praised some of the other nominated artists.
She then added: “I understand why the name of this award has changed but I really love being a woman.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
