Version of Events as well as scooping the gong for Best Female Solo Artist.EMELI Sande was crowned Queen of The Brits as the music industry recognised her phenomenal year in the charts.
The 25-year old singer, from Alford, in Aberdeenshire, overcame competition from Mumford & Sons, Alt-J, Paloma Faith and Plan B to take the Best British album award for her debut, Our Version of Events.
As Bryan Ferry handed Emeli her second award of the night for Best Album, she said: "I think I am a very unlikely pop star. This is an album I wrote because I didn't have the confidence to say those things in person. That so many people found strength in these words makes me feel incredible.
Speaking about her award winning album Emeli said: "Our Version Of Events is our truth and at the end of the day that is all we really have. I was hoping to connect with people. To know that many people have gone out and listened to the words and told their friends is really encouraging. It makes me want to make something else and it feels wonderful. What I remember most about making the record was being an underdog. That was the most exciting thing. It was that hunger, not so much for success, but for people to listen. We had to try so hard to go against people who said it was no good. I remember having that defiance and I loved it. It was great."
Emeli sang Clown and Next To Me in front of a star-studded arena, music business executives from both sides of the Atlantic and fans who had purchased gold tickets to see the show.
The singer’s triumphant return to the O2 arena comes just 12-months after last year’s ceremony, when Brit organsiers failed to properly acknowledge her Brits Critics’ Choice win.
Due to scheduling issues, the ITV producers failed to interview her and she was not given the opportunity to take to the stage to accept her gong.
Brits bosses at the time blamed the Brits 2012 live broadast which had been running behind schedule.
Last night, an insider said: “Emeli has won the two main Brit awards. She released the album of the year and is also hands-down the best female artist in the country.
“She really deserved to be Queen of the Brits, this year. She has had a phenomenal 12 months and this really is in recognition of that. Everybody is delighted for her.
“We also asked her if she would like to close the show. It’s fitting that she should do so and it makes up for everything that happened to her last time around at the Brits. It’s a great result for Emeli and it’s a terrific result for Scotland as a whole.”
Emeli’s double win and performance was made all the sweeter because her family were there to see her take the crown.
Mum Diane, dad Joel, sister Lucy and husband Adam were all in the audience as she stepped up onstage twice to accept her awards.
She later returned to perform the two songs to a standing ovation.
A source said: “Two years ago, Emeli was just a face in the crowd at the Brits watching Jessie J take the award Emeli won a year later. Last year, she was there as a winner. Even she must be amazed at just how fast she has been propelled to the top of the Brits pack. Those who know Emeli know what a lovely girl she is let alone all that talent. We’re all delighted for her.”
James Corden hosted the event, which saw Robbie Williams, Justin Timberlake, Muse, Mumford & Sons, One Direction and Taylor Swift among the others who took to the stage.
During a busy 12 months, Emeli – a former medical student at the University of Glasgow – has topped the charts with her debut album.
It has sold 1.6 million copies in the UK and a further 1 million around the world.
The album, which has now remained in the charts for 12 months, also entered the record books for the longest consecutive spell in the Top 10 for a solo artist.
She enjoyed nine hits as a solo act and featured vocalist during that time and wrote songs for Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, and Sugababes.
And Emeli has barely been off our televisions screens with live performances on Later... With Jools Holland, the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, plus Sports Personality Of The Year.
Adding the latest Brit awards to her collection is yet another high for the singer.
But she will barely have time to recover.
She is heading to the States tomorrow (FRI) after being invited by Sir Elton John to perform at his star-studded Oscars party in support of his AIDS/HIV Foundation.
She’ll fly to Los Angeles for Elton’s Academy Awards Viewing Party, held at West Hollywood Park on Sunday.
She will be performing in front of some the biggest names in showbiz including confirmed guests, producer Quincy Jones, actor Hugh Jackman and supermodel Heidi Klum.
And Sir Elton predics she will follow her Brits wins with Grammys
He said: “Emeli’s album, Our Version of Events, is a true work of art and a favourite of mine.
“When she is on stage, you can feel her passion for music and the heart that goes into her lyrics.
“I can’t wait to introduce Emeli to my guests and experience her live performance together.
“I predict that by next year, she will be a multi-Grammy Award winner.”
