Express & Star

Jorja Smith dedicates Brit award to ‘girls and women’ as she wins acclaim for stage performance

Walsall's Jorja Smith was also joined by Wolverhampton's Liam Payne who presented an award at the Brits

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Jorja Smith with her Brit Award

Jorja Smith dedicated her Brit award to ‘girls and women’ as her performance wowed fans.

The Walsall singer was named best female solo artist at last night's Brit Awards at London's O2 Arena.

Her win came just three years after she received the Critics Choice Award and has continued her meteoric rise.

Jorja Smith with her Best British Female Solo Artist Brit Award

Handed the Brit by Nile Rodgers, Smith dedicated the honour to aspiring female artists.

She said: “Thank you so much. This is for all of us, for all the little girls and women who are just being themselves and loving everything they are doing.

Jorja collecting her award

“I didn’t expect this at all. I want to thank everybody out there.”

She also took to the stage to perform a version of Don’t Watch Me Cry – and it really caught the the attention of many watching at home.

Smith won ahead of Florence + The Machine, Anne-Marie, Lily Allen and Jess Glynne.

Jorja Smith on stage during her performance

Wolverhampton's Liam Payne also attended the star-studded ceremony handing out a gong.

Brit Awards host Jack Whitehall introduced him as Naomi Campbell's 'squeeze' on stage last night.

The former One Direction star, 25, arrived on the podium with supermodel Winnie Harlow to present an award after the funnyman's teasing intro.

Wolverhampton's Liam Payne on the red carpet

Addressing viewers on the biggest night in British music, Fresh Meat star Jack said: "Now it's time for our next award.

"To present it, a supermodel [Winnie Harlow] and supermodel Naomi Campbell's current squeeze.

"His surname's Payne, which is what he'll be in a world of if he crosses her - it's Liam Payne and Winnie Harlow."

Liam Payne attending last night's Brits

Liam's appearance at last year's Brits was with then girlfriend Cheryl.

The couple - who had just welcomed baby Bear to the world - were snapped smiling happily together despite rumours of a rift between them only to split just months later.