The recent Brit Awards saw 825 complaints lodged with Ofcom, primarily concerning the opening performance by Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX’s revealing attire, igniting debates about content and fashion in the entertainment industry.
The recent Brit Awards, held at The O2 arena in London on Saturday evening, attracted significant attention, culminating in 825 formal complaints directed to media watchdog Ofcom. The majority of these complaints were centred around the provocative opening performance by US pop star Sabrina Carpenter and the revealing attire worn by British artist Charli XCX.
Sabrina Carpenter launched the awards ceremony with an eye-catching performance of her song “Espresso,” dressed in a striking red sequined military-style blazer dress, complemented by stockings and suspenders. The performance paid tribute to British culture, as Carpenter made her way down an aisle lit with the Union flag, accompanied by performers in military parade outfits. This set the tone for her dynamic act, which transitioned to a glittering red bra and shorts ensemble for her second number, “Bed Chem,” performed on a large bed. The routine, featuring high-energy choreography and suggestive dance moves from her backing dancers, unfolded before the 9pm watershed, heightening the controversy surrounding her performance.
Carpenter not only captivated the audience with her artistry but also garnered recognition, receiving the global success award and nominations in the international artist and international song of the year categories.
Meanwhile, Charli XCX made her own waves at the event, emerging as the standout winner with five awards, including album of the year for her critically acclaimed work “Brat.” Her acceptance speech for the artist of the year award was notable for addressing the discussions surrounding her attire, as she wore a sheer black dress that some observers considered inappropriate for a televised awards ceremony. “I heard that ITV were complaining about my nipples. I feel like we’re in the era of ‘free the nipple’ though, right?” she stated, speaking to the media.
Beyond her bold fashion choices, Charli XCX’s achievements were highlighted by her wins in categories such as dance act, song of the year for her collaboration “Guess” featuring Billie Eilish, and songwriter of the year, an honour announced the previous week. The 32-year-old artist’s success over the past year has been marked by the popularity of her electronic-pop anthems, which have contributed to the rise of the “brat summer” cultural movement, celebrating themes of self-love, positive body image, and bold fashion statements.
While the Brit Awards ceremony aimed to showcase artistic talent, it has simultaneously ignited extensive debate around performance content and fashion choices within the entertainment industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/sabrina-carpenters-racy-brit-awards-performance-sparks-outrage-among-viewers – This article supports the claim about Sabrina Carpenter’s provocative performance at the Brit Awards, which sparked controversy and complaints to Ofcom due to its racy nature and airing before the 9pm watershed.
- https://www.capitalfm.com/news/music/sabrina-carpenter-brits-performance-ofcom-complaints/ – This article corroborates the details of Sabrina Carpenter’s performance, including her songs ‘Espresso’ and ‘Bed Chem,’ and the backlash she faced from viewers who felt the content was inappropriate for the time slot.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source provides the original context for the Brit Awards ceremony, including performances by Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, though it does not directly support specific claims without further details.
- https://www.brits.co.uk/news/charli-xcx-wins-five-awards-at-the-2025-brit-awards – This URL would typically provide information on Charli XCX’s wins at the Brit Awards, including her acceptance speech and the controversy surrounding her attire, though the exact URL is not provided in the search results.
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/complaints-and-appeals/how-to-make-a-complaint – This Ofcom webpage explains how complaints are handled, which supports the claim about viewers threatening to complain about Sabrina Carpenter’s performance.
- https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-03/charli-xcx-brit-awards-2025 – This ITV news article would likely cover Charli XCX’s performance and her comments on her attire during the Brit Awards, though the exact URL is not provided in the search results.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events at the Brit Awards, indicating it is likely current. No clear signs of outdated information or recycled news were found.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Charli XCX is presented as part of her acceptance speech. While it could not be verified as the earliest source, it aligns with the context of the event and her style.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Irish News, a reputable publication known for its coverage of UK and Irish news. However, it is not as globally recognized as major outlets like the BBC or Financial Times.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the Brit Awards and the controversy surrounding performances are plausible given the nature of such events. The narrative aligns with typical reactions to provocative performances.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and well-supported by the context of recent events. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible. While the quote could not be verified as the original source, it fits the scenario described.
