Paloma Faith reveals Hackney police arrested her twice
Paloma Faith collects the Female Solo Artist Award on stage during the 2015 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Singer Paloma Faith revealed she was arrested for fly-posting twice in Hackney during her Brit Awards acceptance speech.
Paloma Faith performs on stage during the 2015 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
The Picking Up the Pieces singer, 33, who grew up in Stoke Newington, spoke last night of how she was apprehended by police as a fledgeling artist for plastering publicity flyers around the area.
After collecting her pink gong for Best British Solo Female from producer Mark Ronson, she told the crowd at the O2 Arena in Greenwich: “I used to fly-poster my posters in Hackney for my gigs and I’ve been arrested twice for doing that. Now I see that my posters are all over Greenwich Tube station legally and that’s an amazing feeling.”
During a tearful speech, the former magician’s assistant also said: “Wow. I’m so moved. It has been a long time coming. It has taken me 14 years to stand up here and accept this award and it means so much to me. I’m sorry that I’m going to talk a little bit, but other people have been doing short speeches and I think it’s people who have won lots of awards and don’t like to gob off as much as me.
“Thanks to my fans – they are the most incredible fans, they’re so lovely and so wonderful and meet me with such kindness.
Paloma Faith collects the Female Solo Artist Award on stage during the 2015 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
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“Flaws are what make people human and I don’t claim to be perfect. I make so many mistakes and I’m a bumbling wreck but I’m just so grateful and I might never be up here again, which is why I want to dedicate this to all the underdogs and grafters that work hard.”
Faith attended the now defunct Islington Green School which was closed in 2008 and replaced by City of London Academy, Islington – around the time Tony and Cherie Blair decided it wasn’t good enough for their son Euan.
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The singer has previously told the Gazette that her time at the Prebend Street school helped to make her the artist she is. She said: “I had a really amazing experience. People were always criticising it but the teachers were just so brilliant. It was really creative, with really great art, music and dance departments. I really enjoyed it.”
She went on to do her A-Levels at City and Islington College, in Holloway, and in 2009 released her debut album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful, which reached number nine in the UK charts.
Paloma Faith with her award for Best British Solo Artist in the press room at the 2015 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Picture:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire - Credit: PA Archive/Press Association Images
Her third and latest record, A Perfect Contradiction – including top 10 singles Can’t Rely on You and Only Love Can Hurt Like This – peaked at number 6 in the charts.
This year’s Brit Awards ceremony will also be remembered for Madonna falling backwards off the stage in her first performance at the show in 20 years. The legendary singer appeared to fumble with her red cloaked costume before she was dragged backwards down three steps on to the floor.
