Lola Young was the 2026 winner presented with British Breakthrough Artist by Myles Smith.
Young won her first BRIT Award at the Manchester ceremony after entering the night with five nominations, tied with Olivia Dean for the most nominations. Myles Smith, the previous year’s BRITs Rising Star winner, presented the trophy. The handover linked two successive generations of emerging British artists.
The category has changed names over time. It was previously known as Best New Artist and British Breakthrough Act before returning to British Breakthrough Artist for 2026. The award is intended to recognise an artist reaching a decisive point in their development and connecting with a wider audience.
Young’s breakthrough followed the success of songs such as “Messy,” which also earned her a Song of the Year nomination. She attended the BRIT School, as did Olivia Dean, making the result part of a broader story about the London performing-arts institution’s influence on contemporary British pop. Jacob Alon, another name in the 2026 field, won Critics’ Choice instead.