The BRIT Awards 2021: Dua Lipa, Mabel and Maya Jama arrive on the red carpet

Dua Lipa led the stars at the BRIT Awards 2021 on Tuesday night as she made a sensational arrival on the red carpet at London’s O2 Arena.  

The singer, 25, who is nominated for three awards, looked incredible as she joined Maya Jama, Mabel and Sheridan Smith at the star-studded ceremony – the UK’s first major indoor music event since the coronavirus pandemic. 

Dua wowed in a tiny yellow mini Vivienne Westwood Couture corset dress with a deep plunging neckline and a dramatic purple fishnet train which commanded attention on the red carpet. 

Adding racy details, the Don’t Start Now hitmaker wore black suspenders and eye-catching statement purple heels. 

Dua oozed Hollywood glamour as she styled her signature raven locks into a beehive hairdo and added a slick of radiant make-up.

The singer appeared in great spirits as she posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpet and playfully smiled with a life-size BRIT Award. 

Elsewhere presenter Maya, 26, looked sensational as she displayed her toned curves in a plunging cut-out black mini dress adorned with dazzling diamond detailing.

Glamorous: Dua opted for dazzling Vivienne Westwood statement jewellery

Racy! Adding racy details, the Don’t Start Now hitmaker wore black suspenders and eye-catching statement purple heels

Happy: The singer appeared in great spirits as she posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpet

Lovely: Dua playfully smiled and waved to crowds

Happy: The singer appeared in great spirits as she posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpet and playfully smiled with a life-size BRIT Award

Adding some finishing touches, the singer opted for statement eye-catching jewellery and sophisticated matching heels.

Maya styled her brunette locks into a sleek blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of gorgeous make-up as she posed up a storm on the red carpet. 

Singer Mabel, 25, wowed in a vibrant neon green silk cut-out Tony Ward Couture gown which was adorned with diamond detailing and a racy thigh-high slit. She added matching long-sleeved gloves and barely-there heels.  

Mabel styled her curly blonde locks into a sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of gorgeous make-up and dazzling diamond earrings.   

Friendly: Dua appeared in great spirits as she excitedly waved to the crowds of fans and photographers on the red carpet

Friendly: Dua was seen addressing crowds with a microphone

Friendly: Dua appeared in great spirits as she excitedly waved to the crowds of fans and photographers on the red carpet 

Excited: Dua appeared excited ahead of the star-studded ceremony

Fun! The singer teased that it will be a 'night to remember'

Excited: Dua appeared excited ahead of the star-studded ceremony after teasing it will be a ‘night to remember’ 

Gorgeous: Elsewhere presenter Maya, 26, looked sensational as she displayed her toned curves in a plunging cut-out black mini dress

Details: It was adorned with dazzling diamond detailing

Gorgeous: Elsewhere presenter Maya, 26, looked sensational as she displayed her toned curves in a plunging cut-out black mini dress adorned with dazzling diamond detailing

Goodness! Maya also took to Instagram to show off her dazzling ensemble

Cheeky! She shared a cheeky close-up of her manicure and accessories

Goodness! Maya also took to Instagram to show off her dazzling ensemble as she shared a cheeky close-up of her manicure and accessories 

Busy bee: Maya was seen getting stuck into her presenting duties in the media room in her gorgeous ensemble

Busy bee: Maya was seen getting stuck into her presenting duties in the media room in her gorgeous ensemble 

Strike a pose: Singer Mabel, 25, wowed in a vibrant neon green silk cut-out Tony Ward Couture gown

Details: It was adorned with diamond detailing and a racy thigh-high slit

Strike a pose: Singer Mabel, 25, wowed in a vibrant neon green silk cut-out Tony Ward Couture gown which was adorned with diamond detailing and a racy thigh-high slit. She added matching long-sleeved gloves and barely-there heels

Sheridan, 39, looked incredible in a tiny black velvet mini dress with a cut-out square neckline and lace detailing for the event.

The actress finished her look with strappy statement heels, a black manicure and dazzling diamond jewellery on the red carpet. 

Sheridan styled her signature blonde locks into a sophisticated high ponytail with a fringe, she added a slick of radiant make-up.  

Gorgeous: Mabel styled her curly blonde locks into a sweptback hairdo

Mwah! She added a slick of gorgeous make-up and dazzling diamond earrings

Gorgeous: Mabel styled her curly blonde locks into a sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of gorgeous make-up and dazzling diamond earrings

Work it: Mabel knew how to work her best angles

Stunning: She also shared a stunning pictured of herself to Instagram in her ensemble

Work it: Mabel knew how to work her best angles and she also shared a stunning pictured of herself to Instagram in her ensemble 

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star Olivia Rodrigo, 18, wowed in a vibrant neon yellow chiffon Dior dress which she cinched in with a black belt. 

The actress styled her brunette locks into a voluminous wavy hairdo and added a slick of radiant make-up. 

Pregnant Jessie Ware, who is nominated for two awards, looked sensational as she displayed her growing baby bump in a black sheer chiffon dress. 

The singer, 36, adding a matching choker and racy PVC long gloves which were adorned with diamonds. Jessie styled her brunette locks into a blow-dried hairdo, adding a slick of radiant make-up.   

Beauty: Sheridan styled her signature blonde locks into a sophisticated high ponytail with a fringe

Mwah! She added a slick of radiant make-up

Beauty: Sheridan styled her signature blonde locks into a sophisticated high ponytail with a fringe, she added a slick of radiant make-up

Pals! Sheridan appeared in great spirits as she posed for pictures with Rag'n'Bone Man

Work it: Sheridan and Billy Porter posed for a photo together

Pals! Sheridan appeared in great spirits as she posed for pictures with Rag’n’Bone Man, left, and Billy Porter, right  

Strike a pose: The actress also posed with Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin, Allan Mustafa and Steve Stamp of Kurupt FM

Strike a pose: The actress also posed with Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin, Allan Mustafa and Steve Stamp of Kurupt FM 

It comes after Celeste put on a casually chic display in a red-and-white striped top and a chequered skirt as she arrived ahead of the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday. 

Her brunette locks were styled into curls, and she made sure to keep safe amid the coronavirus crisis by wearing a floral face mask upon her arrival at the venue.

Celeste appeared to be more than ready for the night’s event, as she pushed along a large suitcase while also carrying a small handbag.

Before heading inside, Celeste was keen to capture the moment and posed for a photo outside the arena. 

Details: The singer, 36, added a matching choker

Racy! She also wore racy PVC long gloves which were adorned with diamonds

Details: The singer, 36, added a matching choker and racy PVC long gloves which were adorned with diamonds

Interview: Jessie was seen chatting to AJ Odudu during a red carpet interview

Interview: Jessie was seen chatting to AJ Odudu during a red carpet interview 

Eye-catching: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star Olivia Rodrigo, 18, wowed in a vibrant neon yellow chiffon Dior dress

Details: She cinched in the dress with a black belt

Eye-catching: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star Olivia Rodrigo, 18, wowed in a vibrant neon yellow chiffon Dior dress which she cinched in with a black belt 

She's on her way! Olivia was seen making a glamorous arrival to the event

She’s on her way! Olivia was seen making a glamorous arrival to the event 

Protective: The actress took cautious measures amid the Covid pandemic

Careful: She wore a clear visor in her car

Protective: The actress took cautious measures amid the Covid pandemic as she wore a clear visor in her car 

Elsewhere, the 2021 Brit Awards, hosted by Jack Whitehall, will mark the first major indoor music event in over a year as bosses released 2,500 free tickets to key workers. 

The Brit Awards are taking place in front of a live audience of 4,000 people at London‘s The O2 six days before the next phase of lockdown lifts. 

The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on ITV, will celebrate the return to live music and nominee Dua Lipa has promised those attending that it will ‘be a night to remember’. 

Guests: A number of NHS key workers were seen making their way to the venue ahead of the show, and they all dressed in royal blue ensembles

Guests: A number of NHS key workers were seen making their way to the venue ahead of the show, and they all dressed in royal blue ensembles

Exciting: The BRIT Awards marks the first major indoor music event in over a year as bosses released 2,500 free tickets to key workers

Exciting: The BRIT Awards marks the first major indoor music event in over a year as bosses released 2,500 free tickets to key workers

Safety first: The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on ITV, will celebrate the return to live music, and bosses are working closely with the Government to adhere to safety guidelines

Safety first: The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on ITV, will celebrate the return to live music, and bosses are working closely with the Government to adhere to safety guidelines

The indoor ceremony and live show will form part of the Government’s scientific Events Research Programme, and it will use enhanced testing approaches to examine how events can take place without the need for social distancing after all restrictions are lifted on June 21. 

Working closely with the Government to adhere to safety guidelines, this means The BRITs, will be the first live music show at The O2 in over a year, with 4,000 tickets being up for grabs- just one fifth of the venue’s 20,000 capacity. 

The BRITs will play an important role in paving the way for the return of live music at scale as the UK emerges from the past year’s restrictions. 

Early stages: The Brit Awards are taking place in front of a live audience of 4,000 people at London 's The O2 six days before the next phase of lockdown lifts

Early stages: The Brit Awards are taking place in front of a live audience of 4,000 people at London ‘s The O2 six days before the next phase of lockdown lifts

Cautious: Some arrivals were seen being tested ahead of the star-studded ceremony amid the pandemic

Cautious: Some arrivals were seen being tested ahead of the star-studded ceremony amid the pandemic 

Big event: The 2021 Brit Awards are being hosted by Jack Whitehall for the fourth year in a row

Big event: The 2021 Brit Awards are being hosted by Jack Whitehall for the fourth year in a row

Audience members will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings in the arena, but they will be required to follow existing Government guidance when travelling to the venue and adhere to rules set out by the event organisers.

Among the rules, attendees must have proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue. 

As part of the wider scientific research on the trial events, attendees will also be asked to take a test after the event to gather further evidence on the safety of indoor settings, reduced social distancing and the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions like face coverings. 

Celebrate: Nominee Dua Lipa has previously promised those attending that it will 'be a night to remember' (pictured triple nominee Dua Lipa)

Celebrate: Nominee Dua Lipa has previously promised those attending that it will ‘be a night to remember’ (pictured triple nominee Dua Lipa)

The show is set to award Taylor Swift – who will make history as the first ever female to be given BRITs Global Icon Award at the ceremony. 

The 11-time Grammy Award winner, 31, will join former winners Elton John, Robbie Williams and David Bowie in being given with the award in recognition of her impact on music across the world and incredible repertoire and achievements to date. 

In numbers provided by Official Charts Company, Taylor is the UK’s biggest selling artist of the year to date in 2021 and has sold over 114m albums worldwide with total global audio + video streams reaching 78b.

Awarded! Taylor Swift is set to make history as the first ever female to be given BRITs Global Icon Award at the ceremony (pictured in 2019)

Awarded! Taylor Swift is set to make history as the first ever female to be given BRITs Global Icon Award at the ceremony (pictured in 2019)

Taylor is the only artist in history to have four consecutive albums – Speak Now, RED, 1989 and reputation – sell over one million copies in their week of release.   

She is also the only artist to have nine albums each sell at least half a million copies in a single week, with Fearless, Speak Now, RED, 1989, reputation, Lover, folklore, evermore, Fearless (Taylor’s Version).

Taylor is nominated for a second BRIT award this year for International Female Solo Artist, her sixth BRIT nomination to date.  

Winner: Taylor is the only artist in history to have four consecutive albums - Speak Now, RED, 1989 and reputation - sell over one million copies in their week of release (pictured in 2019)

Winner: Taylor is the only artist in history to have four consecutive albums – Speak Now, RED, 1989 and reputation – sell over one million copies in their week of release (pictured in 2019)

How are the BRIT Awards going ahead during the Covid pandemic?

The 2021 BRIT Awards mark the first live music event in the UK since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The indoor ceremony and live show will form part of the Government’s scientific Events Research Programme.

Enhanced testing approaches will examine how events can take place without the need for social distancing after all restrictions are lifted on June 21.  

4,000 tickets were made available for the live ceremony, just one fifth of the venue’s 20,000 capacity, with 2,500 of those being given to key workers. 

The BRITs will play an important role in paving the way for the return of live music at scale as the UK emerges from the past year’s restrictions. 

Audience members will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings once seated inside the arena, though they will be required in communal areas such as the toilet or main concourse.

All attendees will be allowed to purchase alcohol and concessions once inside the O2 Arena.

Attendees will also be required to follow existing Government guidance when travelling to the venue and adhere to rules set out by the event organisers.

Among the rules, attendees must have proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue, and said test must be taken at an asymptomatic testing site within 36 hours of the ceremony.

Upon arrival at the venue, all attendess will be asked to take a PCR test, and will then take another test five days after the ceremony 

It’s hoped this will gather further evidence on the safety of indoor settings, reduced social distancing and the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions like face coverings.

The Icon gong is the highest accolade given and is reserved for truly exceptional artists – following on from Elton, Robbie and David. 

Nominations were unveiled in March, with Celeste, Dua Lipa, Joel Corry and Young T & Bugsey joining Arlo Parks in receiving three nominations each, and Jessie Ware, J Hus, Bicep, AJ Tracey up for two awards as with Headie One.

Confirmed to perform on the show are: Arlo Parks, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Griff – this year’s Rising Star award winner – Headie One, Olivia Rodrigo, and Rag’n’Bone Man & P!nk with the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Choir. 

BRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS 2021

FEMALE SOLO ARTIST 

ARLO PARKS

CELESTE 

DUA LIPA 

JESSIE WARE 

 LIANNE LA HAVAS

MALE SOLO ARTIST 

AJ TRACEY

HEADIE ONE 

J HUS 

JOEL CORRY 

YUNGBLUD

BRITISH GROUP 

BICEP

BIFFY CLYRO 

LITTLE MIX 

THE 1975 

YOUNG T & BUGSEY

BRITs RISING STAR 

GRIFF WARNER – WINNER

PA SALIEU

RINA SAWAYAMA 

MASTERCARD ALBUM 

ARLO PARKS COLLAPSED IN SUNBEAMS 

CELESTE NOT YOUR MUSE 

DUA LIPA FUTURE NOSTALGIA 

J HUS BIG CONSPIRACY

JESSIE WARE WHAT’S YOUR PLEASURE? 

INTERNATIONAL GROUP

BTS 

D.C. PARTISAN 

FOO FIGHTERS 

HAIM POLYDOR,

RUN THE JEWELS

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST 

ARLO PARKS 

BICEP 

CELESTE 

JOEL CORRY 

YOUNG T & BUGSEY

BRITISH SINGLE

220 KID & GRACEY DON’T NEED LOVE

AITCH & AJ TRACEY FT TAY KEITH RAIN 

DUA LIPA PHYSICAL

HARRY STYLES WATERMELON SUGAR 

HEADIE ONE FT AJ TRACEY & STORMZY AIN’T IT DIFFERENT 

JOEL CORRY FT MNEK HEAD & HEART

NATHAN DAWE FT KSI LIGHTER

REGARD & RAYE SECRETS 

S1MBA FT DTG ROVER PARLOPHONE 

YOUNG T & BUGSEY FT HEADIE ONE DON’T RUSH

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST 

ARIANA GRANDE

BILLIE EILISH 

CARDI B

MILEY CYRUS 

TAYLOR SWIFT 

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN  

BURNA BOY 

CHILDISH GAMBINO 

TAME IMPALA FICTION

THE WEEKND

GLOBAL ICON

Taylor Swift