BRIT Awards 2019: Sam Smith and Jess Glynne stun on the red carpet
Sam Smith and Jess Glynne were in fine form on the BRIT Awards red carpet (Jeff Spicer/Getty)
Queer British singers Sam Smith and Jess Glynne have graced the red carpet at the BRIT Awards.
The stars led a host of celebrities arriving on Wednesday (February 20) for the event at The O2 arena in London, including Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, Spice Girls member Emma Bunton and singer Dua Lipa.
British singer-songwriter Sam Smith poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2019 in London on February 20, 2019. (Tolga AKMEN/AFP/Getty)
Jess Glynne attends The BRIT Awards 2019 held at The O2 Arena on February 20, 2019 in London, England. (Jeff Spicer/Getty)
Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander was ready to compete for the best outfit accolade—as well as the best British group award—posing in a Cruella de Vil-style cape.
BRIT Awards nominee Olly Alexander was ready to compete (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty)
Writing on Twitter after the nominations announcement, Alexander said: “Thank god cos I’ve been mood boarding the outfit for a long time already.”
Best British male artist nominee George Ezra arrived in style ahead of his performance, too.
George Ezra arrives in an Audi at the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena on February 20, 2019 in London, England. (David M. Benett/Getty for Audi)
Dua Lipa walked down the BRIT Awards’ red carpet just weeks after releasing “Swan Song,” a track which she said was inspired by LGBT+ activists at ACT UP, an advocacy group working to improve the lives of people with AIDS.
Dua Lipa and Anne-Marie have the most BRIT Awards nominations this year (Jeff Spicer/Getty)
She and Anne-Marie lead the way with four nominations each ahead of the show.
Last year, Anne-Marie revealed she was attracted to both men and women but didn’t want to put a label on it.
Natalie Dormer arrives in an Audi at the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena on February 20, 2019 in London, England. (David M. Benett/Getty for Audi)
Queer singer Janelle Monáe is nominated in the international female solo artist category at the BRIT Awards, while Pink is set to pick up this year’s outstanding contribution to music award.
Openly gay performer Todrick Hall also dazzled on the red carpet (Jeff Spicer/Getty)
American entertainer Todrick Hall also dazzled on the red carpet, as did actor Hugh Jackman.
The Logan star travelled to the BRIT Awards after once again denying gay rumours in November.
What time is the BRIT Awards on TV tonight?
The BRIT Awards are set to be shown on ITV between 8pm and 10:20pm, but all the stars can be seen arriving on the red carpet beforehand, thanks to the awards show’s Facebook live stream.
Another celebrity to pose on the red carpet was Kevin Abstract, one of the founding members of Brockhampton, a US collective nominated for best international group.
Abstract told BBC News last year that being openly gay in the hip-hop community was difficult.
“Me just existing and being myself is making change and making things easier for other young queer kids.”
— BRIT Awards nominee Kevin Abstract
“I have to exist in a homophobic space in order to make change and that homophobic space would be the hip hop community,” he said.
The artist added: “So, me just existing and being myself is making change and making things easier for other young queer kids.”
