Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Dua Lipa wins big at Brit Awards show
British singer Dua Lipa called for “fair” pay raise for U.K. health workers as she was named double winner.
LONDON >> British singer Dua Lipa called for a “fair” pay raise for U.K. health workers as she was named a double winner at the Brit Awards in London on Tuesday night.
Taylor Swift said it was an “incredible honor” to receive the global icon title, which has previously been awarded to superstars such as Elton John and David Bowie.
“I’m really proud to be part of this musical community especially in a year where we needed music so much,” Swift said. “And what we needed even more was the help and support of the NHS and the key workers that are here for us tonight.”
An audience of 4,000 witnessed the glitz of Britain’s leading music prize ceremony at the O2 Arena as part of a test return to mass attendance events in the age of the coronavirus.
Among them were 2,500 key health workers and their guests who had received tickets in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.
Lipa, who took home the British female solo artist and album of the year titles, highlighted the words of nurse and academic Elizabeth Anionwu to say there was a “massive disparity between gratitude and respect” for those on the health front line.
“I think what we should do is we should all give a massive, massive round of applause and give (British Prime Minister) Boris (Johnson) a message that we all support a fair pay rise for our front line,” she said.
In her acceptance speeches, the “Levitating” singer also paid tribute to Anionwu, who has campaigned against racial injustice for decades, as well as Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole and Joaquin Garcia, who jumped into the River Thames near London Bridge to try to save a woman last month.
Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, did not survive the rescue attempt.
Little Mix became the first all-female band to win best British group and called attention to “sexism and a lack of diversity” within the music industry.
Harry Styles took best British single for his song “Watermelon Sugar,” and J Hus received best British male solo artist.
Female singer-songwriters Arlo Parks and Griff took home the British breakthrough artist and rising star awards, respectively.