‘Please don’t wait for them to reach out’: Dua Lipa breaks down as she urges people to ‘wrap their arms’ around LGBTQ+ youth at the 2020 Attitude Awards
A tearful Dua Lipa reached out to the LGBTQ+ community on Tuesday evening after winning her latest accolade at the 2020 Attitude Awards.
The singer, 25, was presented with the Music Award at the virtual event, which was filmed over a six day period at London’s Camden Roundhouse – the venue’s first activity in three months.
But she became emotional as she accepted the prize from guest Mark Ronson, and discussed how young LGBTQ+ youth have struggled with their mental health during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Emotional: A tearful Dua Lipa reached out to the LGBTQ+ community on Tuesday evening after winning her latest accolade at the 2020 Attitude Awards
Detailing how there has been an increase in young people who have tragically taken their lives in 2020, she urged those watching: ‘If there is someone you think is vulnerable, please don’t wait for them to reach out.’
Dua broke down and had to take a moment to compose herself, apologising before she went on: ‘Lets wrap our arms around the young people in this community.
‘Now I don’t know about you but when we’re allowed to I can’t wait to get out there on the dance floor with you all.’
Well done: The singer was presented with the Music Award at the virtual event, which was filmed over a six day period at London’s Camden Roundhouse
Important issue: Dua became emotional as she accepted the prize, and discussed how young LGBTQ+ youth have struggled with their mental health during the ongoing coronavirus crisis
Get involved: : ‘If there is someone you think is vulnerable, please don’t wait for them to reach out,’ she told viewers
Other big winners on the night included Taylor Swift – recipient of the Icon Award – and actor Luke Evans, who was named Man Of The Year.
Entertainment on the night included live and exclusive performances from the Vamps and Honorary Gay award winner Paloma Faith.
Breakthrough Award winner Rina Sawayama sang Chosen Family from her eponymous album Sawayama and Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne performed a cover of Pete Burns’ You Spin Me Right Round.
Looking ahead: On a lighter note Dua admitted she couldn’t wait to hit the dance floor once the pandemic was over
There was also a three-song headline set from Gamechanger Award winner Yungblud.
The Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, benefit the Attitude Magazine Foundation for LGBTQ causes, which has raised and distributed more than £250,000 since summer 2018.
Darren Styles OBE, Publisher of Attitude magazine, said: ‘This has been the most extraordinary running of the Attitude Awards, where the more usual 650 guests in black tie at the Roundhouse have been replaced with a world audience in the digital, virtual space.
’14 amazing presenters, 14 great winners and 5 roof-raising live performances have resulted in a blockbuster show that – we hope – has uplifted the watching LGBTQ community.
‘May our award winners inspire anyone, anywhere, of any age to embrace who they truly are, free to be the best that they can be.’