Brit Awards: Why stars on the red carpet carried white roses

Susannah Guthrie
Feb 22, 2018, updated Feb 22, 2018

Dua Lipa, who won the Best British Female award, clutches a white rose in solidarity with sexual abuse victims. Photo: Getty

Musicians attending this year’s Brit Awards have walked the red carpet carrying or wearing white roses in solidarity with women’s rights movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up.

Female stars including Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding all carried fresh white blooms or wore flower pins, but singer Paloma Faith said she was disappointed more men didn’t embrace the cause.

“The only thing I’m upset about tonight is not more men carrying white roses. I think they should have,” Faith told the BBC.

Some of the men attending the Wednesday (UK time) ceremony in London sported flower pins, including Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Australian singer Troye Sivan, but there were a few who shirked the movement.

Hip hop artist Stormzy, who won best British male and British album of the year, wasn’t wearing a white rose on the red carpet, but had acquired a pin by the time he took the stage to accept his awards.

Stormzy arriving on the red carpet (left) and accepting his award for Best British Male Solo Artist (right). Photo: Getty

Faith was also filmed interrupting the members of rock duo Royal Blood during an interview to demand they each take a white rose.

“You should be carrying these, in camaraderie with women. Why’s it just the women carrying these?” she asked them.

Video: What are the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements?

Sheeran, who sparked marriage rumours by wearing what appeared to be a wedding ring on the red carpet, said he felt the Time’s Up campaign against sexual harassment was long overdue.

“I think it should have happened sooner, but I’m glad it is happening. It’s nice that people are aware of it now,” he told the BBC.

Sheeran proposed to his girlfriend of nearly three years, Cherry Seaborn, in December 2017.

Ed Sheeran wearing a white rose pin and a possible wedding ring on his left hand. Photo: Getty

On Monday the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was criticised for failing to join attendees at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) in wearing black to honour the women’s rights movement in Hollywood.

Kate opted instead to wear green, likely because the royal family are encouraged to avoid doing anything that could be viewed as a political statement.

The white rose gesture started at this year’s Grammy Awards in January, when Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and Pink wore the flower on the red carpet.

The rest of the red carpet

Paloma Faith wearing a bold sequinned number from Ashish. Photo: Getty

Ellie Goulding in questionable 80s look from Stella McCartney. Photo: Getty

Dua Lipa taking over the red carpet in frothy Giambattista Valli. Photo: Getty

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown looks sweet in a Rodarte dress. Photo: Getty

Spice Girl Emma Bunton ditches a dress and chooses a pleather trench coat instead. Photo: Getty

Possibly the worst look from the night came from Little Mix band member Jesy Nelson, who wore a khaki leather jumpsuit. Her boyfriend, Harry James, was far more stylish in a trench coat and slacks. Photo: Getty