A scatter of emotions filtered through my brain as I sat down at my desk, blissfully watching the Brit Awards on Tuesday, May 11. I was greeted by a plethora of artists, including Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Coldplay. However, the most compelling moment of the program was Little Mix becoming the first British girl group to take home the Best British Group Award.

“We have been together for 10 years,” Little Mix said. “It’s been the best years of our lives. We want to start by thanking our incredible fans, and of course [former member], Jesy [Nelson]. We [also] want to thank our management team, our amazing promo team who have been [with us] since us since day one, [and] the amazing writers we’ve worked with on Confetti and all the amazing, talented creators involved.”

As I saw Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock gracefully walk onto the stage, I couldn’t help but reminisce on all the moments that I had enjoyed during their ten-year journey. Little six-year-old me, sitting on the carpeted floor, staring wide-eyed at the TV, was afraid to blink in fear that I might miss an important scene, seeing four independent, strong women enter the world of the famous X Factor show. Throughout their musical careers, I witnessed heartbreak, forgiveness, friendship, and tenacity. Through songs like Shout Out to My Ex, Sweet Melody, No More Sad Songs, and Confetti, I was able to gain confidence and grow stronger as a person.

Winning this particular Brit award is not an easy achievement. Throughout their journey, the band has been subject to sustained misogynistic remarks from not just the media but also their management label. The group was initially signed to Syco, a management label under the control of Simon Cowell. Little Mix often wanted to address themes of female empowerment throughout their music. However, they felt that they were being prevented from doing so under their previous label. The label often had the girls use their appearances to earn them streams for their music and were told what they should and shouldn’t do. As a result, the group ended up suffering outside of the public eye, facing depression and anorexia. Prior to the release of their fifth album, titled Confetti, the group left Syco to pursue management under the RCA label.

“It’s not easy being a female in the pop industry,” Little Mix said. “We’ve seen the sexism and lack of diversity. We’re proud of how we’ve stuck together, stood our ground, surrounded ourselves with strong women, and are now using our voices more than ever. The fact that a girl band has never won this award really speaks volumes. So this award isn’t just for us, it’s for the Spice Girls, the Sugababes, All Saints, [and] Girls Aloud. All the incredible female bands, this one’s for you.”

I’ve constantly been catapulted into their music and awestruck by Little Mix. Their serene personalities, independent selves, and how they stick up for themselves, even if it may affect their image, is inspiring and motivating. Seeing history unfold and seeing how endless strands of possibility could transform into reality was astonishing and exhilarating. Little Mix has once again defied the barriers women face in the music industry and proved that they are unstoppable.