Brit awards 2019: The best feminist moments from winners and presenters

'Male misogynist acts are examined for nuance and defended as traits of "difficult" artists'

On Wednesday, the Brit awards 2019 celebrated the most talented pioneers in the music industry.

From actor Hugh Jackman’s The Greatest Showman performance and singer Tom Walker's award for "British Breakthrough Artist" to Little Mix and Ms Banks’ rendition of the band’s hit track “Woman Like Me”, the event showcased the wide-ranging musical genres and genius topping the international music charts.

However, amid the standout performances and, let’s face it, predictable award wins, there was an indisputable feminist undertone that reigned supreme.

And for good reason. A recent study on gender and representation in the music industry examined music on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from 2012 to 2018.

During the seven year period and out of 700 song samples, female artists, producers and songwriters were few and far between with the number of women on the charts remaining a dismal 17 per cent.

From the 1975’s Matt Healy making a strong statement about misogyny to Beyonce's tribute to the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, here are the most female-focussed moments of the Brit awards 2019.

Beyonce and Jay Z’s Meghan Markle tribute

Beyonce and Jay Z accepted their award for "Best International Group" on the night by sharing a video of themselves thanking the voters.

In the clip, the couple could be seen admiring a painted depiction of Meghan Markle, wearing regal attire, inspired by their 2018 video for their single, “Apeshit” which featured Leonardo da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa artwork in the Louvre museum, Paris.

“Everything is love,” Beyonce said to camera before their eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, could be heard making noise in the background.

Jorja Smith's speech to young girls

The Walsall-born star was named “best female solo artist” at the event’s ceremony and dedicated her award to aspiring female artists.

“This is for all of us, for the little girls and women who are loving what they're doing," Smith said. "Thank you so much."

The 1975's speech about male misogyny

The band’s frontman, Matt Healy, took to the stage to accept the band’s award for “Best Group” and spoke about the misogynistic attitudes that run rife in the entertainment industry.

Quoting an article written about Ryan Adams by friend and Guardian deputy music editor Laura Snapes, Healy said: “Male misogynist acts are examined for nuance and defended as traits of ‘difficult’ artists, [while] women and those who call them out are treated as hysterics who don’t understand art.”

Annie Mac on female representation in music

The BBC Radio 1 DJ took to the stage with model Suki Waterhouse to present the "Best Producer of the Year" award to Calvin Harris.

(Associate Press (Associate Press)

Mac said she was happy to present the award at a ceremony where there were "as many female nominated as there are males".

This year’s set of nominations is largely female-led, with more women acts than men up for awards in the "Best Single", "Video", "Breakthrough and Album categories".

Jess Glynne's removal of makeup

Jess Glynne removed her makeup during a powerful performance at the Brit awards 2019, much to the joy of her fans.

Towards the end of the awards show, the singer took to the stage with a legion of women to perform her hit single "Thursday" and two-time Grammy award winner H.E.R.

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

During the performance, Glynne - who wore a strapless white dress for the occasion - removed her fake eyelashes and wiped off her eye makeup while singing the lyrics "I won't wear makeup on Thursday / 'Cause who I am is enough".

Sitting on stage in a makeup chair, the star was joined by a group of women, also dressed in white, who simultaneously removed their makeup using hand towels in front of dimly-lit vanity mirrors.

Fans of the British star have taken to Twitter to commend the artist for her female empowerment performance.

"By far the most powerful performance I’ve ever seen," one commented.

Another tweeted: "I love that @JessGlynne and her backing singers are taking off all their make-up on stage."

To find out what else happened at the Brits awards 2019, click here.