Holly Humberstone has won the Brit Awards’ Rising Star prize, joining the likes of Adele and Sam Fender to have won the prestigious award which recognises breakthrough talent.
The 21-year-old from Grantham, Lincolnshire has capped off a remarkable year, winning the award ahead of Bree Runway and Lola Young, who were also shortlisted.
A former violinist for the Lincolnshire Youth Symphony Orchestra, Humberstone began her ascending musical journey with the release of her first song Deep End — which only came out two weeks before the first UK lockdown.
Her vocal range and introspective lyrics evidently struck a chord at such a period, with her debut EP, Falling Asleep At The Wheel, going on to be streamed approximately 65 million times.
Earlier this year, the release of The Walls Are Way Too Thin, showed even more emotional depth – the title of which was arguably hinted at in her acceptance speech.
‘I remember watching the Brits with my parents each year and being totally awe-struck by the artists coming together in what felt like another universe,’ she said.
‘Now to be named the Brits Rising Star and nominated alongside two other incredible women, with the songs that started within those four walls at home is so mad.
‘It just doesn’t feel real. This year has been a wild ride and a year of firsts, and I am so grateful and thankful for everyone who has helped make this happen.’
The announcement was first given on Clara Amfo’s BBC Radio 1 Future Sounds show, where it was revealed that former winner Sam Fender had broken the news to Holly while they were recording a new version of his song Seventeen Going Under.
This particular gong comes ahead of the Brit Awards 2022, which will be hosted by Mo Gilligan and will take place on 8th February.
