Nominees revealed for 2026 BRITs Critics' Choice

04 December 2025 - Press release

SUPPORTED BY BBC RADIO 1

JACOB ALON
ROSE GRAY
SIENNA SPIRO

SHORTLIST CONTINUES TO ACT AS A BAROMETER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF BRITISH TALENT
WINNER ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY  

THE BRIT AWARDS 2026 WITH MASTERCARD
SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON ITV

 

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard today reveals that Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO are the artists nominated for the prestigious BRITs Critics' Choice supported by BBC Radio 1, as the shortlist continues to act as a barometer for the next generation of British talent. 

The nominations were exclusively revealed this evening on Radio 1's New Music Show with Jack Saunders. The winner will be announced in January. 

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28th February from Manchester's Co-op Live, marking the first time the event has been held in the city and outside of London, and will also be broadcast on ITV and ITVX.

These newly announced artists follow in the footsteps of an impressive alumni of former winners and nominees who have gone on to achieve remarkable success after being shortlisted, including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, James Blake, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Smith, Jorja Smith, Griff, FLO, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith and more. 

The award has reverted to its original name of Critics' Choice for 2026, in acknowledgement of the importance of 'critical acclaim' to artists at this early and crucial stage of their career. The prize was introduced in 2008 to identify the future stars of British music and is decided by an expert panel of new music champions across media, broadcast and industry. It's designed to highlight artists at the foundational point of their career, with criteria remaining the same as previous years (artists must not have yet achieved a Top 20 album or more than one Top 20 single). The award is open to British artists who, as of 31st October 2025, have not yet achieved an Official Album Charts Top 20 placing or achieved more than one Top 20 chart placing in the Official Singles Chart.

Introducing the 2026 BRITs Critics Choice shortlist....

Jacob Alon
"Ya beauty! Tapadh leibh for recognising my work for this award you legends! Even though I'm Scottish & 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!!!"

Raised in Fife, Jacob first felt the spark of performance at a school talent show, discovering early on that they could command a room with nothing but a piano and a story. That instinct followed them through a childhood spent between winding woods, mischief, and a growing sense of otherness that songwriting helped them reclaim. Jacob found their voice in Edinburgh's folk community, where songs became a lifeline and a way to translate the deep, unspoken parts of themselves. That raw storytelling ultimately shaped their debut album 'In Limerence', a record that announced them as one of the most singular new artists in Britain, and earned them a place on the 2025 Mercury Prize shortlist for Album of the Year.

Earlier this year, Jacob became the first Scottish winner of BBC Introducing's Artist of the Year, was nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year Award, performed on Later... with Jools Holland, played a celebrated set on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury, and was named one of BBC Radio 6 Music's Artists of the Year. With a voice often described as "a tortured angel" and lyrics that cut with precision and dark humour, they've built a reputation for performances that feel both intimate and electrifying. Now, as they continue expanding their sound, flitting between folk-rooted vulnerability and pop-star presence, Jacob enters their next chapter with undeniable momentum and a sound that refuses to be boxed in.

Rose Gray
"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 ⭐️"

Rose Gray has spent the past year charging forward at full speed. The East London artist burst into 2025 with her debut album 'Louder, Please', a record that fused euphoric club culture with razor-sharp pop instincts and immediately shifted the trajectory of her career. After years of songwriting, from early days at the BRIT School, its release became the moment everything clicked. She hit the road, found new fans across Europe, and shared stages with acts like Confidence Man and the Sugababes, witnessing crowds scream her lyrics back at her as her momentum swelled.

That rising wave carried her into 'A Little Louder, Please', the deluxe expansion that opened up her world even further. Now signed to Polydor, she has embraced the freedom to push deeper into dance-driven experimentation and the ethereal textures she's always loved, collaborating with long-time creative partners like Justin Tranter and Sega Bodega. Recognition has spread far beyond the UK as Kesha handpicked her for her 2025 tour - and Rose is already deep into her next chapter. 

SIENNA SPIRO
"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!"

SIENNA SPIRO has quickly become one of the most compelling new voices in British music, pairing a richly soulful tone with a cinematic approach to storytelling. She introduced herself in May 2024 with her debut single 'NEED ME', immediately signalling an artist with emotional depth and a striking sense of identity. Her debut EP 'SINK NOW, SWIM LATER' further showcased her ability to translate real experiences into timeless, modern songs, with the fan-favourite 'MAYBE.' marking a breakthrough moment that drew praise from artists including SZA, Snoh Aalegra, Finneas and Mark Ronson. Her latest release, the heartfelt ballad 'Die On This Hill', has become her first UK Top 10 hit and cemented her reputation as an emerging artist capable of connecting on both an intimate and universal scale.

Alongside her recorded music, SIENNA's rise has been defined by a growing presence on stage. Following her sold-out UK and European headline tour, she joined Sam Smith for their 'To Be Free: New York City' residency, where they performed a beautiful duet of 'Lay Me Down', bringing her powerful, emotionally honest performances to an even wider audience. She has also stepped onto major stages at All Points East and BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, as well as supporting GRAMMY-nominated Teddy Swims across the US. Standout TV performances include a stunning rendition of 'Die On This Hill' on Jools Holland last month. SIENNA made her late night TV debut performing 'Maybe' on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and her morning TV debut with 'Die On This Hill' on TODAY. With each performance and release, SIENNA continues to carve out a path built on authenticity, vulnerability and a voice that feels destined to shape the next chapter of British music. 

Past BRITs Critics' Choice / Rising Star winners and nominees:

2008        Adele (Duffy, Foals)

2009        Florence + The Machine (Little Boots, White Lies)

2010        Ellie Goulding (Delphic, Marina and the Diamonds)

2011        Jessie J (James Blake, The Vaccines)

2012        Emeli Sandé (Michael Kiwanuka, Maverick Sabre)

2013        Tom Odell (AlunaGeorge, Laura Mvula)

2014        Sam Smith (Ella Eyre, Chlöe Howl)

2015        James Bay (George The Poet, Years & Years)

2016        Jack Garratt (Izzy Bizu, Frances)

2017        Rag 'n' Bone Man (Anne Marie, Dua Lipa)

2018 Jorja Smith (Stefflon Don, Mabel)

2019 Sam Fender (Lewis Capaldi, Mahalia)

2020 Celeste (Beabadoobee, Joy Crookes)

2021 Griff (Pa Salieu, Rina Sawayama)

2022 Holly Humberstone (Bree Runway, Lola Young)

2023 FLO (Cat Burns, Nia Archives)

2024 The Last Dinner Party (Caity Baser, Sekou)

2025Myles Smith(Elemiene, Good Neighbours) 

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said:"How exciting to spotlight a new wave of UK musicians shaping popular culture. Awards and recognition for emerging artists is now more important than ever, and Critics' Choice has long championed brilliantly talented new artists. This cohort shares the same early spark displayed by previous winners like Adele, Florence + The Machine, Sam Fender, Myles Smith and Emeli Sande. This year's finalists are a great reminder that commercial momentum grows from creative ambition and artistic bravery."

It was announced recently that internationally acclaimed British designer Matthew Williamson is the creative force behind the 2026 trophy. Inspired by his Manchester roots and the city's famous drive and resilience, the trophy is amber toned resin - resembling the golden honey of a worker bee, the city's mascot - atop a globe representing the worldwide reach of British music. 

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28th February from Manchester's Co-op Live. 

Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of The BRITs as it moves into its 29th year. ITV remains the official broadcaster for the 34th year, with the awards airing on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player. 

These partnerships are vital in supporting and amplifying The BRITs' vision and values, including fundraising for the awards' charitable arm, The BRIT Trust, with a core pillar of the Trust the distribution of funds to charities which promote education and wellbeing through music, including The BRIT School and Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy.