BRIT Awards to ‘have major change’ for 2024 ceremony after ‘woke’ gender-neutral categories backlash

The BRIT Awards 2024 will see some big changes to their categories in response to the backlash of creating gender-neutral gongs in 2022.

This year, the ceremony’s organizers came under scrutiny after female musicians – including Charlie XCX and Florence And The Machine – were rejected from Artist Of The Year, which Harry Styles ultimately won.

Following the furore, an extensive review took place and reports say the category has been expanded from five nominations to ten.

Other changes for the awards show, which will take place on Saturday, March 2, would include a change to 10 nominations, including for International Artist of the Year, and a brand new category for R&B.

A source said The sun: The British’s decision to create genderless categories was a huge one and they have now retooled it to try and make it more inclusive.

Response: This year, the ceremony’s organizers came under scrutiny after female musicians were rejected from Artist Of The Year, which Harry Styles (pictured) ultimately won

“The move to become genderless was meant to be progressive, and by making this change they hope it reflects this.”

MailOnline has contacted the BRIT Awards for comment.

Music industry leaders faced a backlash when they dropped the two categories in an effort to be inclusive and relevant after non-binary musicians, including Sam Smith, who identifies as neither male nor female, said they felt left out .

The first gender-neutral award was presented to Adele in 2022, but in her acceptance speech she emphatically told the audience: ‘I love being a woman.’

It is understood she has also expressed her dismay after it emerged this year’s shortlist only included men.

When former One Direction star Harry, 29, collected the Artist Of The Year award, he dedicated it to several female artists who were not nominated.

He said: ‘I am aware of my privilege here tonight, so this award goes to Reyna, Florence [Welch]Mabel and Becky [Hill].’

Up for a prize: Sam Smith led the call to eliminate gender-based categories

Tricky: Only one female act, Wet Leg, was nominated for album of the year this year

‘Decisions are made out of fear’: After decision to abolish gender categories, Brian May launched scathing attack on organizers

The changes came after singer Sam Smith – who identifies as non-binary – pressured organizers earlier this year to scrap the male and female categories.

The three-time winner previously said: ‘For me, music has always been about unity, not division.

“I look forward to a time when awards ceremonies can be a reflection of the society we live in.”

British chairman Tom March announced the dumping of the long-standing category names in 2022.

He said: ‘It is important that Britain continues to develop and strive to be as inclusive as possible.

“This feels completely the right time to celebrate the achievements of artists for the music they make and the work they do, regardless of gender.”

March added: ‘I’m really excited to be launching four new genre awards, creating even more opportunities for artists to be recognized for the brilliant music they create and produce, and giving music fans the chance to get involved and vote to to support their artists and help them win a Brit.’

Following the decision to abolish the men’s and women’s categories, Brian May launched a scathing attack on the organisers.

The 76-year-old musician said it was made “without much thought” and believes that if Queen were a new band popping up on the charts today, they wouldn’t be considered diverse enough.

Brian, who has won four BRITs with the group, slams organizers for making decisions ‘out of fear’ and believes the gender-neutral gongs will have long-term consequences.

The star also admitted that ‘woke culture’ would have led Queen to question whether iconic frontman Freddie Mercury was the ‘right color or gender’ if the rock band were formed today.

In an interview with The sunBrian said: “I feel very uncomfortable with some of the decisions being made, often out of fear because people are so afraid of being called out. It’s a terrible atmosphere.

‘I’m so sick of people trying to change things without thinking about the long-term consequences. Some of these things are improvements and some are not. Some of them rob people.”

Brian went on to say that he believes Queen is not considered diverse enough to make it in the industry today, regardless of their talent as a group.