Brits Critics’ Choice nominees revealed

Sienna Spiro, Jacob Alon and Rose Gray – if you haven’t heard their names yet, next year you’ll get to know them.

That’s because they have been announced as the artists in the running for 2026’s Brits Critics’ Choice Award.

Previously named Brits Rising Star, the award showcases up-and-coming talent selected by a panel of industry experts.

The winner will be revealed in January, ahead of the Brit Awards ceremony on 28 February, which is being held in Manchester for the first time.

One of them will take the crown from this year’s recipient Myles Smith, whose breakout hit, Stargazing, helped him achieve worldwide acclaim.

Other previous winners since the prize category was created in 2008 include Adele, Sam Fender and The Last Dinner Party.

Rose said she hadn’t initially believed her team when they told her she had been nominated, but was “buzzing” to have been selected.

The east London artist launched into the year with her debut album, Louder, Please, an infectious dance-pop record which propelled her career.

However, the 28-year-old has been honing her songwriting craft since her days at the Brit School, which also boasts artists like Amy Winehouse and Raye among its alumni.

“I’ve only put out one album and I’ve got many albums in me,” she told Newsbeat.

“So I just feel like it sets me up for a year of making, releasing music, playing shows…

“I also feel like not many people know who I am yet, so it’s going to introduce me to a whole new audience.”

Over the past year she has shared stages with hit acts like Confidence Man and the Sugababes, and has introduced herself to a host of new listeners when opening for some of Kesha’s North American tour.

Sienna told Newsbeat she was so overwhelmed by the nomination that she didn’t know how to react.

Her soulful tone has been capturing audiences since the release of her debut single Need Me in May 2024.

The singer-songwriter from London released her first EP, Sink Now, Swim Later, earlier this year, which further showcased her cinematic songwriting ability.

But her latest single, Die On This Hill, saw her soar to new heights as it reached number nine in the UK singles chart in recent weeks.

“I just feel so grateful… There was a moment in October where I felt so grateful, I felt sick, and I was sick,” the 20-year-old said.

“I’ve wanted to do this my entire life and I’ve never really had anything else.”

The pair will go up against Jacob, who found their voice in Edinburgh’s folk community after a difficult stint at university and a turbulent period in London.

The storytelling quality of the music influenced their debut album, In Limerence, which went on to secure a place on the Mercury Prize shortlist earlier this year.

And last month, they became the first Scottish act to be named BBC Introducing Artist of the Year.

The Fife-born musician, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, told the BBC after receiving the honour that they hoped their success now would help others to believe in their own potential. They had, they said, rarely seen people like them represented in music while growing up.

The award, in partnership with BBC Radio 1, has reverted to its original name of Critics’ Choice for the forthcoming year to acknowledge the importance of critical acclaim for artists in the early stages of their career.

The Brit Awards will be broadcast live from Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 28 February.

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