Olivia Dean crowned queen of the Brit Awards as she scoops four gongs and gives dazzling performance
OLIVIA Dean was queen of the Brit Awards last night, scooping four gongs — ten years after she attended the ceremony as a student.
The singer-songwriter, 26, won the best artist, album and pop act categories and the publicly voted song of the year with Rein Me In, with fellow award-winner Sam Fender.
London-born Olivia, who stunned on the red carpet, also performed on stage, a decade on from partying at the event as a Brit School student in 2016.
Her impressive haul followed the success of her second studio album, The Art of Loving, which spent seven weeks at No1 following its release last year.
The songstress celebrated by holding a private afterparty in Manchester where the ceremony was held.
The switch to the city’s Co-Op Live arena marked the first time the event has been staged outside London.
A source said: “Olivia wanted to thank everyone around her for their support. She sees the success of the evening as a group effort.”
Olivia won a place at the free Brit School in Croydon, South London, aged 15, following in the footsteps of singer-songwriter former students Adele, Amy Winehouse and Jessie J.
She enrolled on a theatre course but later switched to songwriting as she began creating tracks on a second-hand piano which she begged her mum, Christine, to buy.
Speaking about the Brit School, Olivia said: “It set me up for life. I knew what I wanted for myself and it taught me so much. I just think it is a magic place.
“Look at all the people it has produced and will continue to do so.”
Last summer, Olivia made her first public appearance with her American drummer boyfriend Eddie Burns as they stepped out at the Wimbledon tennis championships together.
Born in 1999, Olivia grew up in Highams Park, North London, to a British dad and Jamaican-Guyanese mum.
Her maternal grandmother emigrated to the UK as part of the Windrush generation aged 18.
As a result, Olivia refers to herself as a “product of bravery”.
Her success in all of the four categories in which she was nominated follows her triumphs at the Grammy Awards in the US last month.
Holding back tears as she collected the Grammy for best new artist, she said: “I guess I want to say that I am up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I am a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.”
Last night’s Brits, hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall for the sixth time, was dominated by women for a third year running, following the success of Charli XCX and Raye.
Former One Direction star Harry Styles performed a week before he releases his fourth album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
Harry is an investor in the £350million-plus Co-Op Live venue, which opened in 2024.
British record producer and musician Mark Ronson also performed with singer Dua Lipa.
The awards have moved from London for the first time in their 48-year history.
Oasis star Noel Gallagher scooped songwriter of the year.
PinkPantheress picked up producer of the year.
Spanish singer Rosalia won international artist, and New Zealand and South Korean singer Rosé collected the gong for international song of the year.
Meanwhile, previous winner Sam Fender triumphed in the alternative/rock act category, while Wolf Alice scooped group of the year.
The breakthrough artist award went to Lola Young, while international group went to Brooklyn rockers Geese.
Best R&B act was claimed by group Sault. Dave picked up the hip hop/grime/rap act gong.
Speaking about his pre-show warm up, host Jack said: “It tends to be always the same.
“I lock myself in a toilet and try to hide from all the people banging down the dressing room door trying to get me to change lines from my monologue or tweak introductions.
“That’s mainly my pre-show routine — trying to make as little noise as possible, so that they don’t find me.”
RAYE won the prize for the most dressing rooms.
The singer, 28, who performed at the show, had five rooms for her band.
Meanwhile, fellow performer Harry Styles, 32, had a private area decked out with limited edition bars of Tony’s Chocolonely.
KING HARRY
HARRY Styles opened the Brit Awards last night accompanied by 50 dancers and a gospel choir.
The ex-One Direction singer, 32, performed his new single Aperture at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester.
He wore a white shirt, tie and pinstripe trousers as he danced on stage in a halo of light.
Host Jack Whitehall commented: “Wow, what a way to warm you up — the equivalent to sitting on the washing machine for a few minutes.”
Speaking previously about the venue, in which he is an investor, Harry said: “Manchester is an incredible city, filled with incredible people, and I couldn’t be happier being involved in this project.”
His fourth studio album — Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally — is out on March 6.
GUESTS were served a reduced carbon three-course meal.
The menu showed the carbon footprint of each dish which included a celeriac starter and venison main course.
A Manchester tart dessert was a nod to the new home of the ceremony.
WAYNE Rooney enjoyed an evening at the city’s Soho House on Friday night.
The footie pundit, 40, was seen with friends at the club where US DJ Roger Sanchez, 58, performed.
A source said: “Wayne kept a low profile and was ushered in by security.”
JACK’S MANDY GAG GOT AXED
ITV did not screen host Jack Whitehall’s joke about the Peter Mandelson scandal.
The comedian talked to Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and said: “This must be the politicians’ table. I thought I saw Peter Mandelson on the list — oh no sorry that was another list — my bad.”
Mandelson was pals with financier Jeffrey Epstein.
