Who won the Critics' Choice award at the 2026 Brit Awards?

Jacob Alon won the Critics’ Choice award at the 2026 BRIT Awards. The prize recognises a promising emerging artist and is chosen through the BRIT Awards’ industry voting process.

Alon is a Scottish singer-songwriter who developed their musical identity in Edinburgh’s folk community. Their early work drew attention for its intimate writing and distinctive vocal approach, helping them stand out in a shortlist that also included Rose Gray and Sienna Spiro. The award was announced before the main ceremony and formally celebrated during the 2026 BRITs.

Critics’ Choice has a long history as a launchpad for major British artists. The honour was formerly known as the BRITs Rising Star award, and its previous recipients include Adele, Sam Smith, Florence + the Machine, James Blake and Dua Lipa. Myles Smith is a common mix-up because he won the award in 2025, but he was not the 2026 recipient.