Lady Gaga Sings for McQueen, Steals the Show at Brit Awards

Norm-defying singer wins a leading three gongs, including Best International Album for The Fame

By Natalie Finn Feb 17, 2010 2:14 AMTags
Lady GagaGareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Lady Gaga left her poker face at home when it came time to pay tribute to Alexander McQueen.

Onstage to accept for Best International Breakthrough Act, the first of the field-leading three gongs she took home Tuesday at the Brit Awards in London, the masked chanteuse's voice was husky with emotion when she mentioned the late designer.

"Thank you to Lee McQueen," she said, using the lobster-boot-fashioning icon's real first name.

Aside from her tiered outfit and Marie-Antoinette-on-steroids wig, Lady Gaga toned down her scheduled performance of "Poker Face," going without her backup dancers for a more sedate medley of "Telephone" and "Dance in the Dark," which she dedicated to McQueen.

Not that she didn't cry a few tears of happiness, as well...

"I was really excited to win the first two awards. This award means even more to me because I worked so hard on this album for so long," she said upon accepting the Brit for Best International Album for The Fame.

Lady Gaga also left the building having been named Best International Female, topping Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Norah Jones and Shakira in the process.

Not to be left out of the fake-hair department was Lily Allen, winner for Best British Female Solo Artist.

"I only wore this wig because I thought it would be hard for the camera men to find me to catch my disappointed face," she joked.

Jay-Z, who performed "Empire State of Mind" with Alicia Keys, beat out Bruce Springsteen, Eminem and Michael Bublé for Best International Male Solo Artist.

Not quite as gracious (or just wanting to perpetuate the whole naughty-Brit image) was Oasis' Liam Gallagher, who chucked his band's inaugural award for Best Brits Album of the Past 30 Years right into the crowd.

He thanked everyone involved in making (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Except brother Noel, of course.

Here's the complete list of winners from the 2010 Brit Awards:

International Album: The Fame, Lady Gaga
International Male Solo Artist: Jay-Z
International Female Solo Artist: Lady Gaga
International Breakthrough Act: Lady Gaga
British Male Solo Artist: Dizzee Rascal
British Female Solo Artist: Lily Allen
British Breakthrough Act: JLS
British Group: Kasabian
British Album: Lungs, Florence & the Machine
British Single: "Beat Again," JLS
Brit Awards Performance of Last 30 Years: Spice Girls, "Wannabe"/"Who Do You Think You Are," 1997
Brits Album of the Last 30 Years: (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
British Producer: Paul Epworth
Critics' Choice: Ellie Goulding
Outstanding Contribution to Music: Robbie Williams

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