Brit awards may remove 'best male' and 'best female' categories to include non-binary stars such as Sam Smith
It looks like the time of musicians being voted best male or best female at the Brit awards could well be over given that Brit Awards bosses are thinking about making categories gender-neutral.
This change could very well effect next year's Brit Awards especially given how singer Sam Smith was nominated under the 'best male' category this year. Smith pleaded, "after a lifetime of being at war with my gender to be referred to as ‘they’ rather than ‘he’."
Smith recently revealed his intention to be referred to as 'they' and a friend of his said, "This is a decision Sam has thought long and hard about, including doing a lot of reading." The friend added, "He knows that it will take some people longer than others to fully get it."
Brit Award categories such as best newcomer and best single have both male and female nominees. However, it was reported yesterday that the organizers are contemplating whether to include non-binary artists such as Smith, 27, who had sung the song to the 2015 Bond film 'Spectre.'
As reported by The Sunday Times, a source said, "Bosses are listening to changes happening in the industry. The categories will evolve in the coming years. The male and female categories will still be in place next February but changes are being planned for the following year. Organizers will be consulting labels and artists alike to work out what is best for the future of the Brits ceremony."
Ever since the first ceremony in 1977, the Brits have awarded prizes defined by gender. Last year the best male award was given to George Ezra and Jorja Smith won the best female. The MTV Movie and TV Awards had taken on a gender-neutral acting award in 2017. It was first given to 'Harry Potter' actress Emma Watson for her role in the film 'The Beauty and The Beast.'