Meet the Rising Stars Lighting Up the Brits Critics' Choice 2026!

The Brits Critics' Choice Award is one of the most exciting honors for new musicians in the UK, and this year, three rising stars have been nominated: Sienna Spiro, Jacob Alon, and Rose Gray. These artists may not be household names yet, but the nomination means they are on the verge of breaking through to a much wider audience. The winner will be announced in January, ahead of the Brit Awards ceremony, which will take place in Manchester for the first time on 28 February. The Critics' Choice Award, previously known as the Brits Rising Star, is designed to spotlight up-and-coming talent chosen by a panel of industry experts. Winning this award can be a major turning point in an artist's career, as it was for last year's winner, Myles Smith, whose hit song Stargazing brought him international recognition.

Rose Gray, one of this year's nominees, said she was shocked when her team told her about the nomination. She described herself as 'buzzing' with excitement. Rose is an east London artist who released her debut album, Louder, Please, this year. The album is full of energetic dance-pop tracks that have helped her gain attention in the music world. Rose has been working on her songwriting skills since her days at the Brit School, which has produced stars like Amy Winehouse and Raye. She told Newsbeat that she feels the nomination will help her reach new fans and set her up for a year of making and releasing more music. Over the past year, Rose has performed with well-known acts such as Confidence Man and the Sugababes, and she opened for Kesha during her North American tour, introducing herself to even more listeners.

Sienna Spiro, another nominee, said she was overwhelmed by the news. Sienna's soulful voice has been winning over audiences since she released her debut single, Need Me, in May 2024. Her first EP, Sink Now, Swim Later, showcased her cinematic songwriting style, and her latest single, Die On This Hill, climbed to number nine on the UK singles chart. Sienna said she felt so grateful for the nomination that she almost felt sick from happiness. She has dreamed of being a singer her whole life and is thrilled to be recognized for her work.

Jacob Alon, the third nominee, found their musical voice in Edinburgh's folk community after facing challenges at university and during a difficult time in London. Jacob's debut album, In Limerence, was inspired by storytelling and earned a spot on the Mercury Prize shortlist earlier this year. Last month, Jacob became the first Scottish artist to be named BBC Introducing Artist of the Year. Jacob, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, hopes their success will inspire others who may not see themselves represented in music. They said that growing up, they rarely saw people like themselves in the industry, and now they want to help change that.

The Critics' Choice Award has returned to its original name to highlight the importance of critical acclaim for artists at the beginning of their careers. The Brit Awards will be broadcast live from Manchester's Co-op Live on 28 February, and music fans can tune in to BBC Newsbeat for more coverage of the nominees and the ceremony.

Since the award was created in 2008, it has helped launch the careers of major artists like Adele, Sam Fender, and The Last Dinner Party. This year, Sienna Spiro, Jacob Alon, and Rose Gray hope to follow in their footsteps and make a lasting impact on the music scene. The Critics' Choice Award is a celebration of new talent and gives artists the chance to reach new audiences and achieve their dreams.

As the Brit Awards approach, excitement is building to see which of these talented musicians will take home the prize. No matter who wins, all three nominees have shown incredible dedication and creativity, and their futures in music look very bright.