Stars Prepare for 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester with Glam and Grit
Olivia Attwood, Kelly Osbourne, and Maya Jama were among the leading celebrities preparing for the 2026 BRIT Awards on Saturday evening. In the hours leading up to the glittering ceremony, stars began their transformations ahead of their red carpet moments, showcasing a mix of intense workouts and luxurious glam sessions.
Celebrity Preparations and Personal Touches
Olivia Attwood shared a peek at her intense gym session on Instagram, striking a pose in a low-cut sports bra, managing to squeeze in a workout before hitting the red carpet. Kelly Osbourne, whose legendary father Ozzy Osbourne is receiving the BRITs Lifetime Achievement award, posted a picture from the makeup chair in her luxurious hotel suite, captioning it, "Time to get with the #GlamFam and get ready for the @brit.awards!"
Maya Jama, excited that the show is now in her home town of Manchester, ensured she maintained her regular exercise routine, snapping a bikini photo before a quick dip. She wrote, "Brits dayyyy. What a coincidence the BRITs move to Manchester when I do." Other stars like Jamie Laing uploaded pictures of his wife Sophie Habboo having her hair and makeup styled, while radio presenter Vick Hope applied a face mask to ensure radiant skin under the cameras.
Event Details and Hosting
The BRIT Awards ceremony takes place tonight at its new home, Co-op Live in Manchester, and will be broadcast live on ITV, ITVX from 8:15pm, and on ITV’s YouTube (UK) and BRITs’ YouTube (globally) from 8:45pm. Award-winning comedian and writer Jack Whitehall returns to host the show, adding his signature humor to the proceedings. Winners in each category will receive the iconic BRITs trophy, this year conceptualized and designed by internationally acclaimed and Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson.
Nominations and Historic Shake-Up
The prestigious BRIT Awards ceremony is set for a significant shake-up, with a landmark 70% of this year's nominations going to female or non-binary artists. Leading the charge are rising star Lola Young and soulful singer Olivia Dean, both picking up five nominations apiece. Hot on their heels is comeback queen Lily Allen, who has earned three nods for her widely praised fifth studio album, West End Girl, inspired by the painful breakdown of her marriage to actor David Harbour.
Allen will compete with Young and Dean in the coveted Artist Of The Year category, while also battling for Album Of The Year and Pop Act. Lola Young, 24, is additionally shortlisted for Breakthrough Artist and Alternative/Rock Act, though her attendance remains uncertain. Following the announcement, she expressed gratitude, saying, "Five BRIT nominations, how is this even possible? I've had this dream a thousand times... I am so grateful for this moment."
Record-Breaking Achievements and Performances
Olivia Dean, 26, made history by becoming the first woman since Adele in 2021 to simultaneously top both the UK singles and albums charts, achieving this with her track Man I Need and album The Art Of Loving, both released in 2025. She has been nominated across five categories and will perform at the ceremony, sharing, "To go from being a student of The BRIT School in the crowd to being a performer 10 years later is really crazy, and I'm so excited to see everyone in Manchester."
Elsewhere, British rapper Dave has been recognized in three categories: Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year, and Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act. He released his third studio album, The Boy Who Played The Harp, in 2025 and has since become the first British rap artist to debut three albums at number one in the UK's official chart. Raye, who holds the record for the most BRIT Awards won at a single ceremony with six awards last year, has been announced as the final act to perform this year, adding to the evening's excitement.
