Olivia Dean Sweeps 2026 BRIT Awards
The 2026 BRIT Awards, held at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on February 28th, saw Olivia Dean emerge as the night’s biggest winner, taking home four coveted awards. The annual celebration honors the best in British music, with a selection of awards also recognizing international talent.
Dean’s Triumphant Night
Olivia Dean secured the prestigious Artist of the Year and Album of the Year awards for her 2025 record, The Art of Loving. She also won Best Pop Act and, alongside Sam Fender, Song of the Year for their collaboration, “Rein Me In.” Her success follows a remarkable year that included a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in January.
Key Winners and Performances
The evening featured performances from Harry Styles, who debuted his new single “Aperture” from the upcoming album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, as well as Rosalía and Dean herself.
Other notable winners included:
- International Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt”
- International Artist of the Year: Rosalía
- International Group of the Year: Geese
- Song of the Year With Mastercard: Sam Fender [ft. Olivia Dean] – “Rein Me In”
- Group of the Year: Wolf Alice
- Breakthrough Artist: Lola Young
- Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act: Dave
- Dance Act: Fred again.., Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax
- Alternative/Rock Act: Sam Fender
- R&B Act: Sault
- Producer of the Year: PinkPantheress
- Songwriter of the Year: Noel Gallagher
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Mark Ronson
A Night of Recognition
Comedian Jack Whitehall hosted the awards ceremony for the sixth time. Geese’s Max Bassin used his acceptance speech for International Group of the Year to voice his support for Palestine and criticize ICE. PinkPantheress was honored with the Producer of the Year award earlier in the week, becoming the youngest artist and first woman to receive the accolade.
Dean, visibly emotional while accepting the Album of the Year award from Jeff Goldblum, spoke about the impact of creating The Art of Loving, stating, “Making this album has changed my life… This album is about love and loving each other in a world that feels loveless right now.”