Ellie Goulding made a rather quick appearance on Wednesday at the 2018 Brit Awards, but she certainly made sure it was an impactful one.
Upon presenting the award for international female solo artist with Adwoa Aboah, Goulding took a shot at the recent controversy surrounding Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow’s comments that women in the music business need to “step up.”
“It’s so amazing to see so many women tonight wearing the rose,” the singer-songwriter said, referring to the white roses attendees sported in support of the Time’s Up movement. “We’re very proud to be women and, actually, I think we can all agree that we’ve been stepping up for years.”
Portnow has been under fire since telling backstage reporters that women need to “step up” after this year’s Grammys saw just one woman win an award — best new artist recipient Alessia Cara. Several musicians (female and male) have since expressed their thoughts on the comments, but Goulding’s declaration at the Brit Awards marked her first response to the controversy.
Lorde, who was one of the many female artists nominated for a Grammy this year — including the coveted album of the year honor — ended up taking home the international female solo artist Brit Award.
Watch a fan-filmed clip of Goulding’s shot at Portnow’s comments, below.
Ellie Goulding shades Recording Academy president Neil Portnow’s comment about women needing to step up by saying on live television: “I think we can all agree that we’ve been stepping up for years”. #BRITs2018 pic.twitter.com/P99emtuxiU
— Music News Facts (@musicnewsfact) February 21, 2018
