George Ezra defends Brit Awards after backlash over all-male ‘Artist of the Year’ category-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

He’s been named as one of the musicians nominated for artist of the year at the Brit Awards and now George Ezra has addressed backlash after it was pointed out no females were included in the category.

The nominations for the upcoming awards ceremony were released yesterday, with Fred again.., Central Cee, Harry Styles, Stormzy and George named in the running for the top award.

But soon after, music fans expressed their frustration on social media that no women were represented.

However, when appearing on Lorraine on Friday morning, George, 29, agreed with the hosts sentiment that there was solid representation across the board.

‘Well exactly. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head,’ he said.

‘I actually hadn’t looked at any of the nominations until I got to the studio this morning and people were telling me people had been talking about it.

‘When you look at all of the nominations throughout the night it is amazing.’

George Ezra spoke about the backlash when appearing on Lorraine (Picture: ITV)

The musician added: ‘It is eclectic, and people are being represented and acknowledged.

‘I don’t know and obviously I don’t have the answer, but I do think on a whole they’ve done an amazing job of recognising artists.’

When bringing up the backlash, Lorraine had said there was ‘a lot of hoo-haa’ over the fact all of the best artist nominees were all men.

‘But it is what it is,’ she continued.

‘We do have lots of amazing women as well and a lot women in other categories.

‘If you’re going to do best artist, it is best artist. It doesn’t matter if it’s he, she, they or whatever.’

George picked up two Brit Award nominations (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

During the interview George, whose song Green Green Grass has also been nominated for song of the year, said he was thrilled to still even be considered following the release of his third album.

‘You know what I think this will be the third time I’ve gone along to the Brits and it’s almost more exciting this time around than before,’ he said.

‘There’s this thing where we all love something that is new, so when you are releasing your first record and I’m not saying it’s easy, there is an element of you are new and people are excited about it.

‘This is my third record and so to still be considered for these things are really flattering.’

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When Lorraine mentioned she had never attended the awards, George invited her along as his plus one.

While she didn’t quite accept his offer, she did say that she hoped George ‘took home one of those slightly phallic looking awards’.

The Brit Awards 2023 will air live on Saturday February 11 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV.

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