The 2025 Brit Awards were a night to remember, packed with unexpected moments, emotional tributes, and historic wins. Hosted at London’s O2 Arena, the evening saw Charli XCX dominate with five awards, an electrifying opening from Sabrina Carpenter, and a touching tribute to the late Liam Payne.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Opening Stuns the Audience
American singer Sabrina Carpenter delivered a jaw-dropping performance, accompanied by the King’s Guard. Dressed in a striking corset bodysuit, she performed hits like Espresso and Bed Chem, with Union Jack visuals on display.
Her bold, suggestive set sparked viewer complaints, with some threatening to report it to Ofcom. However, Carpenter remained unfazed, later accepting the Brits’ first-ever Global Success Award.
“In a very primarily tea-drinking country, you guys streamed the s out of Espresso,” Carpenter joked. “And you’ve really understood my dry sense of humor because your sense of humor is so dry. So, I love y’all more than you even understand.”
Charli XCX’s Night to Remember
UK pop icon Charli XCX swept the awards, claiming:
- Best British Album
- Best British Artist
- Best Dance Act
- Song of the Year for Guess (feat. Billie Eilish)
Charli thanked Billie Eilish for her quick collaboration on the track. “I asked if she wanted to be on this song three days before shooting the video. Not all artists are [as] spontaneous,” she praised.
The win solidified Charli’s brat era as a defining moment in the UK’s pop scene.
Jack Whitehall: A Host Who Pulled No Punches
Comedian Jack Whitehall returned as host, bringing his signature sharp wit. His jabs ranged from calling Teddy Swims “the voice of an angel and the face of a school desk” to comparing KSI as a talent judge to “Stephen Hawking judging Strictly Come Dancing.”
Despite his biting humor, Whitehall reportedly ensured his jokes were in good fun, hugging his targets during commercial breaks.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Liam Payne
The night’s most emotional moment came with a tribute to Liam Payne, the former One Direction star who tragically passed away last year.
“Last October, we woke to the devastating news that Liam Payne had tragically passed away,” Whitehall said. “He achieved so much in the short time that he was on this earth and was not only a supremely gifted musician but an incredibly kind soul.”
A montage of Payne’s career highlights played, set to One Direction’s Little Things. Though rumored, Payne’s former bandmates did not reunite on stage, though Louis Tomlinson later wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Thank you, @BRITs. Beautiful tribute. Miss you always, brother.”
The Winners and Show-Stopping Moments
- Best Alternative/Rock Act – Sam Fender
- Best International Song – Chappell Roan for Good Luck, Babe!
- Best Dance Act – Jade Thirlwall (hinting at a possible Little Mix reunion)
- Best Pop/R&B Act – Raye
Paloma Faith also made headlines, taking a jab at Donald Trump amid his ongoing controversies with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “The world has gone bad,” she said. “Some people are getting it wrong, thanks to the voters of America.”
A Night to Remember
The evening saw unexpected moments, from rising star Lola Young adjusting to fame to Teddy Swims’ eccentric stuffed-animal cape. Surprise appearances from Jared Leto and Lenny Kravitz added to the night’s glamour.
As the final award was handed out, one name stood out—this year’s Brit Awards belonged to Charli XCX.
With Sabrina Carpenter’s stunning opener, a tearful Liam Payne tribute, and record-breaking wins, the 2025 Brit Awards delivered a night for the history books.