Olivia Dean was the undisputed star of the BRIT Awards 2026, walking away with four major trophies in a night that marked a historic first for the ceremony in Manchester.
Leading the nominations with five nods, Dean converted four into wins, including the biggest prizes of the evening: Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Best Pop Artist. Her dominance cemented her status as one of the most powerful voices in British music right now.
Host Jack Whitehall returned to the BRITs stage for the first time since 2021, delivering his trademark sharp humor and taking playful jabs at everyone from politicians to the controversy surrounding this year’s BAFTA Awards.
Harry Styles also made a highly anticipated return to live performance, stepping back onto the BRITs stage for the first time since 2023 ahead of the release of his upcoming album.
Music heavyweight Mark Ronson, a ten time Grammy winner, received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award before delivering a special performance that energized the crowd.
An emotional Olivia Dean reflected on her journey after accepting her awards.
“Making this album changed my life,” she said. “This record is about love and loving each other in a world that sometimes feels like it has lost that.”
Her winning album, The Art Of Loving, became the defining soundtrack of the night and the project that secured her sweeping victory at the 2026 BRIT Awards.
