The BRIT Awards 2026 Critics' Choice nominations revealed
Previous winners include Ellie Goulding, Adele and Rag 'n' Bone Man
Last updated 4th Dec 2025
The BRIT Awards with Mastercard will be returning next year, leaving London for the first time, as it heads north to Manchester. After the new trophy design was revealed last month, The BRITs have revealed who has been nominated for the Critics' Choice Award.
Three artists have been announced as nominees, following in the footsteps of previous winners and nominees, which include Dua Lipa, Florence + The Machine, and Sam Smith.
This time around, Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO have all been nominated for the prestigious award, find out more about the artists below.
Jacob Alon
Jacob is a Scottish and Irish singer and songwriter who was raised in Fife. The artist's debut album 'In Limerence' earned them a place on the 2025 Mercury Prize shortlist for Album of the Year.
Speaking about their nomination, Jacob said: "Ya beauty! Tapadh leibh (Thank you) for recognising my work for this award you legends! Even though I’m Scottish and Irish before I’m British, I appreciate the BRITs critics for this recognition.
"I really care about and believe in this music and it makes my world brighter every time it reaches someone else. Hopefully this nomination means some more beautiful people might find something in this wee album. ‘Mon the gays!!!"
Rose Gray
Releasing her debut album this year, called 'Louder, Please', Rose, who hails from East London is a BRIT School alum. The singer's album is 'a record that fused euphoric club culture with razor-sharp pop instincts'.
Speaking about her nomination, Rose said: "I’m so excited for this nomination! This moment feels like a special reminder of how far this journey has carried me and what a crazy year it’s been.
"One year ago, I was manifesting so hard for my album ‘Louder, Please’ to travel, to find its people, to really get its light. And it did. Releasing this record has genuinely changed my life. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey and I can't wait for what's to come. Thank you BRITs ⭐️"
SIENNA SPIRO
SIENNA's debut single 'NEED ME' was released last year and since then she has made waves in the music industry. Following the release of her debut EP, 'SINK NOW, SWIM LATER', the singer had a breakthrough moment when she received praise from SZA, Finneas and Mark Ronson, for her song 'MAYBE'.
On finding out about her nomination, SIENNA said: "So beyond honoured and grateful to be nominated for this year's Critics' Choice BRIT Award! To think I started releasing music last year, I would never have expected this at all. Thank you so much!"
Where are The BRIT Awards 2026?
For the first time, The BRIT Awards will be leaving London and heading to Manchester. They will take place at the Co-op Live.
When are The BRIT Awards 2026?
They will take place on Saturday 28th February.
Who else has won The BRITs Critics' Choice / Rising Star awards?
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."
Now read:
The BRIT Awards: All the winners of the Rising Star award
The BRIT Awards 2026: Everything we know so far
The BRIT Awards to leave London for the first time and move to Manchester