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Brit Awards organizers are asking voters to take diversity lessons on “conscious voting” before the polls open next month.
Insiders say awards bosses hope the move will encourage voting panels to stop voting for white, straight artists and instead consider musicians of other ethnic, sexual and gender backgrounds.
The move comes after the prestigious music organization faced backlash when they abolished gender categories in a bid to allow non-binary artists like Sam Smith to compete, but that led to male-dominated categories.
Male, female and non-binary nominees were merged into a single artist of the year category in 2022.
Its first winner, Adele, 37, spoke out about the changes. She said: “I know this category has changed, but I really love being a woman and an artist.”
Brit Awards organizers are asking voters to take diversity lessons on ‘conscious voting’ before polls open next month (Harry Styles pictured at the BRITs 2023)
Insiders say awards bosses hope the move will encourage voting panels to stop voting for white, straight artists and instead consider musicians from other ethnic, sexual and gender backgrounds (Kylie Minogue in photo from the 2024 BRITs).
The move comes after the prestigious music organization faced backlash when they abolished gender categories in a bid to allow non-binary artists like Sam Smith to compete, but this led to male-dominated categories (Sam pictured in the BRIT 2019).
Then last year, the awards became further embroiled in a sexism row after the single award, which honors artists “regardless of their gender”, resulted in an all-male shortlist that included Harry Styles, Stormzy and George Ezra.
A source said: “BRIT award organizers are doing everything they can to avoid another embarrassing scandal.”
“They are determined not to back down from the disaster that was getting rid of gender categories.”
“Instead, they hope the new training course will work and ensure more diverse candidate pools.”
This follows a move earlier this year to double the number of nominees in the category from five to 10.
Now members of the 1,200-strong BRIT voting academy have been invited to take part in a 90-minute online course where they will “learn more about the principles of conscious voting” on November 27.
The invitation read: “This bespoke session has been created specifically for BRIT voters and is designed to further support the BRIT Awards’ goals around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).”
The course will be led by Luise Usiskin, a diversity and inclusion consultant, whose other clients include the BBC, The Guardian and the Houses of Parliament.
Male, female and non-binary nominees were merged into a single artist of the year category in 2022. Its first winner, Adele, 37, spoke about the changes (pictured)
Now, members of the 1,200-strong BRIT voting academy have been invited to take part in a 90-minute online course where they will “learn more about the principles of conscious voting” on November 27 (Raye (pictured at the 2024 BRITs).
Ms. Usiskin’s job profile reads: “She understands that work in DEI can be difficult and uncomfortable, and that it requires continuous learning and self-reflection.”
The optional course for Brit Award voters says it will “interrogate the ways in which potential unconscious biases can often be revealed; the course aims to ensure that all participants leave with the practical tools needed to reduce the effects of personal biases and organizational and power to make conscious voting decisions.’
“It contributes to a more inclusive industry by helping Voting Academy members develop their judgment and decision-making skills.”
Polls will close on December 12 and the awards ceremony will take place at London’s O2 arena on March 1.
