Ofcom Receives Over 800 Complaints About Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX at BRIT Awards 2025

The 2025 BRIT Awards sparked controversy after Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, received 825 complaints primarily concerning performances by Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX. Carpenter, a 25-year-old American pop star, performed a mash-up of her song *Espresso* with *Rule Britannia* while dressed in a red sparkly military-style blazer dress with stockings and suspenders. She later changed into a red bra and shorts for her next song, *Bad Chem*, performed alongside dancers in similar attire on a large bed.

Charli XCX, who dominated the night by winning five awards including Album of the Year, also received complaints due to her revealing black see-through dress. The singer addressed the criticism in her acceptance speech, referencing the ‘free the nipple’ movement.

Despite the controversy, Carpenter received the Global Success Award and was nominated in multiple categories. Social media reactions were mixed, with some praising her performance and others questioning its appropriateness before the 9pm watershed. The BRIT Awards 2025 proved to be an eventful night, generating discussions about artistic expression, media regulations, and cultural norms regarding fashion and performance in televised events.