Holly Humberstone has been announced as the winner of the BRITs Rising Star award, supported by BBC Radio 1, and is also the first performer to be confirmed for The BRIT Awards.
“I remember watching the BRITs with my parents each year and being totally awe struck by the artists coming together in what felt like another universe,” said Humberstone.
“Now to be named the BRITs Rising Star and nominated alongside two other incredible women, with the songs that started within those four walls at home is so mad. It just doesn’t feel real. This year has been a wild ride and a year of firsts, and I am so grateful and thankful for everyone who has helped make this happen!”
Humberstone’s debut EP, Falling Asleep At The Wheel marked the first chapter in the story of a new global talent who has garnered over 200M global streams to-date. Over the past year, the Polydor-signed rising alt-pop star has achieved everything from being nominated for the Ivor Novello Rising Star Award with Apple Music, coming runner up in the BBC Sound of 2021, chosen as YouTube’s next Artist On The Rise, and Deezer’s Focus artist, amongst performances on Jimmy Fallon, James Corden, and Later... With Jools Holland.
Bree Runway and Lola Young were also shortlisted for the award, originally known as Critics’ Choice, which since its launch in 2008 has successfully identified the future stars of UK music, with a roll-call of previous winners including Adele, Florence + The Machine, Sam Smith, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Ellie Goulding, Sam Fender and 2021’s winner, Griff.
Past BRITs Critics’ Choice / Rising Star winners:
2008: Adele
2009: Florence + The Machine
2010: Ellie Goulding
2011: Jessie J
2012: Emeli Sandé
2013: Tom Odell
2014: Sam Smith
2015: James Bay
2016: Jack Garratt
2017: Rag ’n’ Bone Man
2018: Jorja Smith
2019: Sam Fender
2020: Celeste
2021: Griff
The BRITs Rising Star award shortlist is selected by an invited panel of music editors and critics from the national press, online music editors, heads of music at major radio and music TV stations plus songwriters, producers and live bookers.
The BRIT Awards 2022 with Mastercard takes place February 8 at The O2 arena, exclusively broadcast on ITV and ITV Hub and hosted by Mo Gilligan.
Nominations will be revealed in ‘The BRITs Are Coming’ broadcast on ITV and ITV Hub on December 18.