Ofcom Receives 825 Complaints Over BRIT Awards Performances
The BRIT Awards sparked controversy this year, with media watchdog Ofcom receiving 825 complaints, primarily about Sabrina Carpenter’s performance and Charli XCX’s outfit. The annual event, held at London’s O2 Arena on March 1st, aired on ITV before the 9 p.m. watershed, the cutoff for content deemed unsuitable for younger viewers.
Carpenter opened the show with a mash-up of Espresso and Bed Chem, wearing a red sparkly military-style mini-dress before switching into a red negligee with suspenders. Her routine included suggestive choreography, featuring a bed prop and an intimate moment with a male dancer. The singer later joked on Instagram: "I now know what watershed is!!!!"
Charli XCX, the biggest winner of the night with five awards, also faced backlash for her sheer black dress. Addressing the controversy in her acceptance speech, she said: "I heard that ITV were complaining about my nipples. I feel like we’re in the era of ‘free the nipple’ though, right?"
Despite the complaints, neither ITV nor Ofcom has confirmed any breaches of broadcasting rules. An Ofcom spokesperson stated, "We are assessing the complaints against our rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate." The number of complaints is relatively low compared to other high-profile complaints in UK television history.
While some viewers were offended, others praised the performances, with Carpenter’s acceptance speech highlighting her love for British humor and culture. The BRITs remain a stage for both musical excellence and public debate, proving once again that the annual event never fails to make headlines.
