Charli XCX Wins 5 BRITs Trophies, Shrugs Off Outfit Criticism

It was a Brat BRIT Awards with Charli xcx the big winner of the UK’s answer to the Grammys, which was held in London’s O2 Arena.

Going into the ceremony, the 32-year-old led with five nominations, and it really was her night, picking up all of them – including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.

The Brat popstar had a little less pressure on the night, having already picked up the Songwriter of the Year trophy before the show, while her long-time collaborator AG Cook was named Producer of the Year.

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While on-stage accepting her Artist of the Year award from Jared Leto, the singer brushed off complaints about her sheer dress.

“I heard ITV were complaining about my nipples,” she told the crowd to huge cheers.

“I feel like we’re in the era of ‘free the nipple’ though, right?” she asked before carrying on with her speech.

Charli xcx wasn’t the only one stirring up the censors.

Jack Whitehall made a controversial return as host of this year’s BRITs with a number of his crowd interviews bleeped out during the telecast, a P. Diddy joke and a skit about Kanye’s Grammy appearance with his Aussie wife Bianca Censori.

The comedian, who was hosting the show for the fifth time after a three-year absence, didn’t hold back – especially when it came to roasting YouTuber, musician and Song of the Year nominee, KSI, throughout the show.

“He’s got as many wins tonight as The Beatles – none,” Whitehall joked when introducing the Thick Of It performer and Britain’s Got Talent judge.

“I think you’re as good a rapper as H…from Steps. Some of his solo stuff is incredible, honestly.

“It’s inspirational stuff cause you listen to Kendrick Lamar and think ‘I couldn’t do that in a million years’ and I listen to your song and I’m like ‘I could do this!’

“I mean that, it’s inspirational for people, it really is.”

Two Aussie bands, Melbourne’s Amyl and the Sniffers and Queensland outfit Confidence Man, were nominated in the International Group of the Year category.

They lost to Fontaines D.C., who ironically were in Australia and unable to accept the award in person.

The Irish band gave a shout out to the Melbourne band in their pre-recorded acceptance speech.

“Amyl and the Sniffers, if you’re there, we’re sorry we’re not there having a drink with you, you’re one of the most inspiring bands in the world right now,” they said.

Despite the bands’ loss, there was still an Aussie among the winners on the night.

Canberra-born Georgia Davies, one fifth of The Last Dinner Party, gave the acceptance speech on behalf of the British indie rock band after they were named Best New Artist.

It marked the all-female outfit’s second ever BRIT Award, after getting the Rising Star trophy last year.

First-time nominees Chappell Roan won two awards and Ezra Collective won one, while JADE – formerly from girl group Little Mix – nabbed her fist solo trophy and thanked her former bandmates for their support in her solo career.

Sabrina Carpenter opened the show with a mash up of Espresso, Bad Chem, and Rule Britannia, with dancers dressed like the King’s Guard.

The American popstar later nabbed the special Global Success BRITs trophy, becoming the first international star to win the award, which was presented to her by “long-time fan” and friend Millie Bobby Brown.

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“For a tea drinking country, you streamed the shit out of Espresso,” Carpenter told her British fans in her acceptance speech.

Similarly, Teddy Swims performed a medley of his biggest hits on stage in a range of costumes, having changed out of his teddy filled red carpet ensemble.

Sam Fender, Lola Young were also among the big names who took to the stage, along with Rising Star winner Myles Smith.