These LGBTQ+ artists are leading the BRIT Awards 2026 nominations: Lola Young, Cynthia Erivo and Wet Leg
Fifteen award categories were revealed on Wednesday 21 January, with Jacob Alon announced as the winner of the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award
By Aaron Sugg
The BRIT Awards 2026 nominations have been announced, with the likes of Lola Young, Jacob Alon, Chappell Roan and Cynthia Erivo leading the way for LGBTQ+ artists.
The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday 28 February 2026, broadcast live on ITV and ITVX, and hosted by Jack Whitehall. For the first time, the event will take place outside London, relocating to Manchester’s Co-op Live.
Fifteen award categories were revealed on Wednesday 21 January, with Alon announced as the winner of the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award.
The queer Scottish singer-songwriter has rocketed into acclaim, with their debut album In Limerence earning major recognition and a Mercury Prize shortlist spot.
Thanking the BRITs Critics for his award, they said: “Being part of something like this makes me feel as if I’m floating far above the sky.”
This year’s BRITs LGBTQ+ nominations include:
Lola Young, nominated across five categories, including Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist, Song of the Year, Alternative/Rock Act and Pop Act.
Young publicly came out via a TikTok comment in May 2025 where she resounded to a fan with “I like pussy as well u know,” affirming her bisexuality.
In a news release, the 25-year-old ‘Messy’ singer said: “Five BRIT Nominations, how is this even possible? I’ve had this dream a thousand times, so I’m slightly convinced that my alarm clock is about to wake me up.”
Cynthia Erivo, an openly queer actor and singer, receives her first-ever BRIT nomination for Song of the Year with her rendition of ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked.
Chappell Roan is nominated for International Artist of the Year, after releasing hit singles ‘The Giver’ and ‘The Subway’ in 2025, reflecting strong LGBTQ+ visibility in the global category.
Who is up for Group of the Year at the 2026 BRIT awards?
Wet Leg are nominated alongside The Last Dinner Party, Pulp, Sleep Token and Wolf Alice for Group of the Year. They are also up against Young in the Alternative/Rock Act category.
Wolf Alice, beloved by the lesbian community, are nominated in three categories, including Album of the Year for their fourth album, The Clearing.
Led by frontwoman Ellie Rowsell, the band said they were in disbelief after being announced in three categories: “I feel especially floored to be nominated for Album of the Year. We are very proud of this album – more so than any other in some ways.”
After an incredible 2025, Lady Gaga is up for two BRIT Awards following the debut and world tour of her seventh studio album, Mayhem.
She is nominated for International Artist of the Year alongside the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift, and for International Song of the Year with Bruno Mars for their 2024 single ‘Die With A Smile’.
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