BRIT Awards announce Griff as winner of Rising Star Award 2021
Past winners include Adele, Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding
Last updated 19th Mar 2021
Just weeks after announcing the shortlist of winners for the 2021 Rising Star Award, previously known as the Critics' Choice Award, The BRIT Awards has now revealed Griff as the winner!
Griff, who won the award ahead of Pa Salieu and Rina Sawayama, will be recognised as the voice behind the moving Disney Christmas advert from December 2020.
Speaking about her win, Griff said, “In my head I'm still screaming from the phone call when I found out. It's honestly such a miracle: how on earth did we manage to win a BRIT and break through during a pandemic?"
Speaking about her nomination earlier this month, she said "It’s kinda terrifying how many legends have been nominated for this award. I never ever ever expected making beats in my music room after school could eventually lead to a BRIT nomination.
"Super lame but I remember after school, catching up on the BRITs and crying watching Stormzy perform. And I don’t think I really knew what that emotion was at the time but I think it was just an overwhelming sense of aspiration. So to be nominated for a BRIT award three years on is completely surreal!"
Scroll through to see the winners of the BRITs Critics' Choice Award so far...
Adele: 2008
Adele won the award in 2008 and has since gone on to enjoy world domination. The singer has released four albums, '19', '21' ,'25' and most recently, '30' in November 2021.
With hits like 'Rolling In The Deep', 'Chasing Pavements' and 'Easy On Me', it is no surprise the singer is adored across the world by fans.
After making her comeback to music in 2021, Adele hasn't slowed down since, with the singer currently enjoying a stint in Las Vegas.
Florence & The Machine: 2009
Florence Welch of Florence & The Machine was given the award in 2009, much to her fans' delight. The singer went on to release amazing albums and perform at sell-out shows across the world.
Ellie Goulding: 2010
Ellie Goulding was crowned the winner of the award in 2010.
Ellie went on to release five massive albums, with her latest arriving in 2023. She teamed up again with Calvin Harris in 2023 on the track 'Miracle', which the pair performed at The BRITs 2024.
Jessie J: 2011
Jessie J won the award in 2011 and has smashed the charts ever since. After releasing her debut album 'Who You Are' in 2011, Jessie went on to achieve global success with hits like 'Domino', 'Price Tag' and 'Bang Bang' featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
Emeli Sande: 2012
Emeli won in 2012 and released her massive debut album 'Our Version Of Events' in the same year.
The singer went on to perform at the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012. She then went on to wow fans across the world with her incredible vocals on hits like 'Clown', 'Next To Me' and 'Heaven'.
Tom Odell: 2013
Singer-songwriter Tom Odell won the award in 2013, going on to release five albums since. His fifth album 'Best Day Of My Life' was released in October 2022.
Sam Smith: 2014
Since winning the award in 2014, Sam Smith hasn't look back! The vocalist has released four massive albums which include hits like 'Too Good At Goodbyes', 'One Last Song' and 'Promises'.
After teaming up with Calvin Harris in 2018, Sam then worked with former Fifth Harmony singer Normani on the track 'Dancing With A Stranger' and has since dropped tracks such as 'Unholy' and 'Gloria'.
James Bay: 2015
One year after winning the award in 2015, James Bay went on to win a BRIT Award for Best British Male Solo Artist in 2016.
The singer has since released amazing singles such as 'Hold Back The River' and 'Let It Go'.
Jack Garratt: 2016
Jack Garratt won in 2016 and continues to wow his fans with his vocal. The singer dropped his debut album 'Phase' in February 2016. Jack released his second album 'Love, Death & Dancing' in 2020.
Rag'N'Bone Man: 2017
Since Rag'n'Bone Man won the award in 2017, the singer has gone on to massive things.
Not only did he drop the massive hit 'Human', Rag'n'Bone Man, real name Rory Graham, teamed up with Calvin Harris on the amazing song 'Giants', with the pair working together again in 2024 on 'Lovers In A Past Life'.
Jorja Smith: 2018
Singer-songwriter Jorja Smith won the award in 2018 at the age of just 20.
Since winning the award last year, Jorja has released her debut album 'Lost & Found' which was positively received by fans.
Sam Fender: 2019
Sam Fender has become hugely popular over the last couple of years, so it's no surprise he won the award in 2019. His debut album 'Hypersonic Missiles' was adored by fans.
Sam dropped his second album ' Seventeen Going Under' in October 2021 and has since sold out shows across the world.
Celeste: 2020
British singer-songwriter Celeste won the prestigious award in 2020, going on to perform at the 2020 ceremony. After her victory, Celeste released her debut studio album in January 2021 and her single 'A Little Love' featured on the 2020 John Lewis Christmas ad.
Griff: 2021
Singer-songwriter Griff picked up the award in 2021. Gushing over her win, she said: "In my head I'm still screaming from the phone call when I found out. It's honestly such a miracle: how on earth did we manage to win a BRIT and break through during a pandemic?"
Holly Humberstone: 2022
Holly Humberstone picked up the award, now named the Rising Star Award, in 2022. She is known for her tracks 'London Is Lonely' and 'Falling Asleep At The Wheel'.
On receiving the award, Holly said: "I remember watching the BRITs with my parents each year and being totally awe struck by the artists coming together in what felt like another universe. Now to be named the BRITs Rising Star and nominated alongside two other incredible women, with the songs that started within those four walls at home is so mad. It just doesn't feel real. This year has been a wild ride and a year of firsts, and I am so grateful and thankful for everyone who has helped make this happen!"
FLO: 2023
The 2023 Rising Star Award went to girl group FLO, known for their songs 'Cardboard Box', 'Not My Job' and 'Immature'. They said of their win: "From growing up watching the BRITs, to finding each other and forming FLO, releasing our first body of work in 2022 and winning a BRIT award in the same year!! We are so shocked and grateful. We are the first group to win the BRITs Rising Star! We've just made history and couldn't have done it without our wonderful fans and supportive families. It's truly a dream come true. We feel so empowered creating the music we love and we hope others feel that too."
The Last Dinner Party: 2024
The Last Dinner Party were announced as the winners of the 2024 award after a stratospheric rise to fame. The five-piece from London started out only in 2020, giving their first performance in 2021 - so it's a pretty impressive trajectory.
They said of the win: "We are so proud beyond measure to have won the BRITs Rising Star. It's an honour to achieve something so iconic so early on in our career and we can only hope to keep making music that connects with all the incredible people who have listened to and supported us so far. Thank you!"
Myles Smith: 2025
Myles Smith was announced as the winner of the 2025 award ahead of Elmiene and Good Neighbours. Myles said of his victory: "Winning the BRIT award for Rising Star is such a surreal moment. Music has always been about connecting with people, and to see it resonate on this level is incredible. I'm so grateful to my team, my family, and especially the fans who've supported me every step of the way. Your belief in me means everything. This is just the beginning, and I'm so excited for what's to come—thank you for being part of this journey."
Singer Celeste was announced as the winner of the BRIT Awards' Rising Star back in 2020, with the 'Stop This Flame' singer being in the running against Beabadoobee and Joy Crookes.
Of her win, Celeste said, "It’s a huge honour to be the recipient of the BRITs Rising Star Award 2020. Like many others, I grew up watching the BRITs and have been continually inspired by its nominees, winners and the performances. I hope to make the most of this incredible opportunity and I can’t wait to perform on the BRITS next year."
After revealing the brand new award trophy for 2020, the event organisers also announced that performing artists would have more creative control over their performances at the show - and that there'd be less awards presented on the night, to allow for more music.
But that's not all - as the organisers also revealed that they were changing the name of the prestigious Critics' Choice Award after 11 years, when Adele was the first crowned winner. Launching some of the biggest careers in music, the Critics' Choice is now be known as the Rising Star Award.
According to an official release from organisers, the winner has always been chosen by a selected panel of music editors and critics from national press amongst others. The panel is now expanded to include songwriters, producers and live bookers who work with new rising talent on a regular basis.
The BRIT Awards 2021 takes place on 11th May.
Read more:
Everything you need to know about the BRIT Awards
Famous artists who started their careers at BRIT school
The MOST memorable BRIT Award performances ever