What award did One Direction win at the 2012 Brit Awards?

One Direction won Best British Single at the 2012 Brit Awards for “What Makes You Beautiful.”

Held on 21 February 2012 at London’s O2 Arena, the ceremony was the 32nd edition of the Brit Awards. The group’s victory marked its first Brit Award and came during the rapid breakthrough that followed its appearance on The X Factor in 2010.

“What Makes You Beautiful” was One Direction’s debut single and became a major UK hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. The song’s success helped establish the band beyond television and made it a natural contender in the British Single category.

A common mix-up is confusing this award with British Group. Coldplay won British Group in 2012, while Adele took British Album of the Year for 21. One Direction later received further Brit recognition, including the Global Success Award in 2013 and 2014.