The BRIT Awards have long been the stage for drunken exchanges, political statements and a few romance rumours – the Daily Star have looked back at some of the most iconic through the past 45 years
The BRIT Awards is returning tonight (March 1) to celebrate their 45th year on TV, with Jack Whitehall set to present the music awards.
Being a hotspot for huge stars from home and abroad, the celebrations will be held at the O2 Arena and will air live on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 8.15pm for prime time viewing on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player. British jazz band Ezra Collective and singer Jorja Smith announced earlier this week that they’ll be taking to the stage at this year’s BRIT Awards. The 2023 Mercury Prize winners will also be performing alongside a star-studded lineup, including Jade, Lola Young, Myles Smith, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Teddy Swims and The Last Dinner Party.
But the awards have long been a chance for awardees to show off their fashion statements, new projects or even a political statement or two. With Raye managing to win six wins out of a record-breaking seven nominations, all eyes are on the nominees for 2025.
From the Spice Girls to Harry Styles growing close to Lizzo, the Daily Star have compiled the most iconic moments from the BRIT Awards.
Geri Haliwell’s dress in 1997
Performing a mash-up of Wannabe and Who Do You Think You Are, Geri wore perhaps one of the most iconic looks in British pop history.
Legend says she and her sister made the dress from a tea towel before sticking a peace sign on the back to not offend anyone. Add a pair of chunky red platforms, and the look has lasted almost 30 years in the BRIT hall of fame.
It managed to sell at auction for a record-breaking £41,320. Oh – and the Spice Girls managed to bag themselves two awards for Best British Single and Best British Video.
A win-win for “girl power”.
Kylie Minogue in 2002
Kylie performed Can’t Get You Out of My Head mashed up with New Order’s Blue Monday, and saw Kylie arrive on stage on a giant CD with her name emblazoned on it – and that’s definitely one way to make an entrance.
The song, featuring dancers in robotic silver outfits, and Kylie wearing Dolce and Gabbana, quickly became one of her most iconic. It was so popular, in fact, that several DJs made bootleg versions following the awards show.
It wasn’t until the release of Love at First Sight that an official version was released, when “Can’t Get Blue Monday Out of My Head” appeared as one of the B-sides.
Amy Winehouse’s performance in 2007
Underlining her time in a rehab centre for drug use, Amy stepped out in a short yellow dress for her 2007 BRIT appearance to perform none other than her hit song, Rehab.
Perhaps one of the most well-known performances on the BRIT stage in all history, Amy also accepted Best Female Solo Artist AND British Album. With her performance recently shared to the official BRIT Instagram account, many fans cast their minds back fondly to almost 20 years ago.
One wrote: “Incredible song and rhythm, I was fascinated by her.” Another added: “Fantastic Amy.”
Lady Gaga in 2010
One person not afraid to shock their fans on their red carpet is Lady Gaga. Although she left the meat dress in the fridge, Gaga’s white layered get-up with a huge blonde wig certainly stood out.
Donning a white lace mask and a full mesh dress which covered her piano, she took to stage before bagging three awards, including Best International Female Solo Artist.
Her piano ballad which turned into an electronic dance track will forever go down in history, according to her fans. One wrote: “Probably one of her most iconic performances ever. at the height of her career she could’ve performed bad romance that night but she chose an acoustic version of telephone mixed with dance in the dark.
“A tribute to the late Alexander McQueen. her paying homage to those before her all while synths play in the back… the high fashion theatrical pose in the end somehow represents an icon cemented in pop culture. Give me chills every time.”
Fashion designer, Alexander McQueen who was a close friend of Gaga’s died just weeks before her performance. She wore his designs all night and even dressed her backing dancers in the same.
Taylor Swift in 2015
As if winning International Female Solo Artist at the BRITs wasn’t enough for Taylor Swift, she also took the 2015 BRITs as a chance to show off her new “villain era” look after the release of 1989.
Swift triumphed over tough competition from Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Sia, and St Vincent. This was Swift’s first BRIT Award, after being nominated in 2010 for International Breakthrough Act and in 2013 for International Female Solo Artist.
It capped a triumphant year for Swift, whose 2014 album 1989 helped her complete the transformation from Nashville country singer to arguably the biggest pop star on the planet.
Dua Lipa in 2019
Dua Lipa quickly become the most-nominated artist at the Brit awards for a second year in a row in 2019. This year, she managed to bag two.
The star also showed off her new and improved dancing skills following some ridicule for her previous attempts online. To finish off, she donned a blue mini dress complete with a huge bow and silver stars plastered all over.
Lizzo in 2020
She may have missed out on a prize at the 2020 BRIT Awards, but Lizzo still partied hard. Photos emerged of the star leaving an afterparty at 4am having enjoyed a wild night out.
Perhaps most surpisingly was her new friendship with fellow nominee, Harry Styles. Lizzo was seen out with him. The pair previously demonstrated their love for one another by covering each other’s hits during separate appearances on Radio 1’s Live Lounge and also teamed up for a Miami performance of Juice last month.
They even got a few affectionate words in while on TV being interviewed by Jack Whitehall, who is back to present in 2025. She managed to start a few dating rumours and even debuted a chocolate bar dress on the red carpet.
All in all, a pretty successful night.
Harry Styles in 2020
Styles, who was nominated for Best Male Solo Artist and Album of the Year in 2020, appeared emotional as he finished off the piano ballad, which he performed in a white lace jumpsuit on a flooded stage. The pop world had been dominated by the former One Direction star who had perused a successful solo career.
Fans speculated Harry’s performance was a tribute to former Love Island host Caroline Flack, who passed away after taking her own life on Saturday, February 15, just weeks before the show.
The star, known for his androgynous looks, took to the red carpet in a pink blouse and bright yellow suit. While he had sombre moments of reflection, his drunken exchanges with Lizzo remained a highlight.
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
