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Sienna Spiro, Jacob Alon, and Rose Gray: These are the names to watch, as they’ve been unveiled as the nominees for the 2026 BRITs Critics’ Choice Award.
The prestigious award, formerly known as the BRITs Rising Star, recognizes emerging talent selected by a panel of industry experts.
The winner will be announced in January, leading up to the BRIT Awards ceremony on February 28, which will be held in Manchester for the first time.
The chosen artist will succeed this year’s recipient, Myles Smith, whose hit single “Stargazing” propelled him to global recognition.
Past winners of this coveted prize, since its inception in 2008, include Adele, Sam Fender, and The Last Dinner Party.
Rose Gray expressed disbelief upon receiving the nomination, stating she was “buzzing” to have been chosen.
The East London-based artist launched her debut album, “Louder, Please,” this year, a dance-pop record that has significantly boosted her career.
Gray, 28, has honed her songwriting skills since attending the BRIT School, which also counts Amy Winehouse and Raye among its distinguished 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 notable acts like Confidence Man and the Sugababes, and opened for Kesha’s North American tour.
Sienna Spiro told Newsbeat she was overwhelmed and unsure how to react to the nomination.
Her soulful voice has captivated audiences since the release of her debut single, “Need Me,” in May 2024.
The London-based singer-songwriter released her first EP, “Sink Now, Swim Later,” earlier this year, showcasing her cinematic songwriting.
Her recent single, “Die On This Hill,” has propelled her to new heights, reaching number nine on the UK singles chart.
“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.”
Spiro and Gray will contend with Jacob Alon, who discovered their voice in Edinburgh’s folk scene after a challenging period at university and in London.
The storytelling quality of their music influenced their debut album, “In Limerence,” which secured a place on the Mercury Prize shortlist earlier this year.
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 that they hoped their success would inspire others to believe in their potential, as they rarely saw people like them represented in music growing up.
The award, in partnership with BBC Radio 1, has reverted to its original name of Critics’ Choice for the upcoming year to highlight the importance of critical recognition for artists in the early stages of their careers.
The BRIT Awards will be broadcast live from Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday, February 28.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here.
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The rapper’s representatives say the series is “a shameful hit piece” that “relied on stolen footage”.
Sir Cliff Richard is performing at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Tuesday evening.
More than 2,400 children will perform at Glyndebourne, the De La Warr Pavilion and Brighton Dome.
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