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Brit Awards 2018 Felt Like A Return To Form, And It's All Thanks To Jack Whitehall And Stormzy: HuffPost Verdict

A decent mix of good music and total chaos made for great viewing.
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By 

Entertainment Editor

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K E Y   P O I N T S

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S N A P   V E R D I C T

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Once upon a time, the Brit Awards were synonymous with the wild behaviour of its attendees, with the biggest names in music gathering for a night to remember (if they could remember it at all, that is).

More recent ceremonies have provided a handful of memorable moments, but they’ve always felt a little more sanitised and safe compared to their predecessors, but this year’s ceremony felt reminiscent of the Brits’ glory days.

This was largely thanks to host Jack Whitehall, who pulled no punches with the celebrities in attendance, and also managed to ride the wave of chaos that a few of the night’s more shaky moments brought along with them, in ways we can’t imagine recent hosts Ant and Dec or Dermot O’Leary managing so effortlessly.

But it wasn’t just the irreverent commentary that made us nostalgic, but also some of the night’s unplanned moments. Whether it was the excruciating Liam Payne and Cheryl interview or Damon Albarn’s rambling acceptance speech, the chaos felt like the Brits of the 1990s and early 2000s, and it was a breath of fresh air compared to what we’ve been served in recent years.

The night undeniably belonged to Stormzy, though, who not only won the most awards, but delivered the performance sure to have everyone talking, lampooning Theresa May over her handling of the Grenfell tower disaster, as well as name-checking Daniel Kaluuya, the Daily Mail and Jourdan Dunn.

Those in charge this year have earned their afterparty. Same again, and more, in 2019, please.

B E S T   L I N E S

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“He's been invited on the condition he didn’t perform ‘Galway Girl’, it’s Ed Sheeran."”

- Jack Whitehall sets the tone from the off

“This country is a small, little thing. It’s part of a beautiful world but… uh… all I wanna say is don’t let it become isolated, don’t let ourselves become cut off, you know?"”

- Damon Albarn's speech certainly made an impression

“Yo, Theresa May, where’s that money for Grenfell? You just forgot about Grenfell.””

- Stormzy debuts a new rap during his show-stopping performances

M O M E N T  O F  T H E  N I G H T

Brit Awards 2018 Red Carpet
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Dua Lipa attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Ed Sheeran attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Singer Rita Ora attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Stormzy arrives in an Audi for the BRIT Awards at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Audi UK) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** (L to R) Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Perrie Edwards of Little Mix attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Kylie Minogue attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Justin Timberlake attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Maya Jama attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Stefflon Don attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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British singer-songwriter Sam Smith poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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Paloma Faith attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
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Caroline Flack attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Holly Willoughby attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Rag N Bone Man attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** (2ndL-R) Jennifer Hudson, Tom Jones and Olly Murs attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Jessie Ware attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Emma Bunton attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Nile Rodgers attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Calvin Harris attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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Roman Kemp attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Jess Glynne attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Phillip Schofield attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Alesha Dixon attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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British indie rock band 'Wolf Alice', Ellie Rowsell (2nd R), Joff Oddie, Theo Ellis, and Joel Amey pose on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Clara Amfo attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Anne Marie and Grace Chatto of Clean Bandit attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** MNEK attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Jo Whiley attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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Professor Green attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
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British rock band 'Royal Blood', Mike Kerr (R) and Ben Thatcher (L) pose on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Abbey Clancy attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Nicola Roberts attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Amber Davies attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/FilmMagic) (credit:Joe Maher via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Ellie Goulding arrives in an Audi for the BRIT Awards at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Audi UK) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Conor Maynard attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Gemma Atkinson attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Tom Walker attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Fleur East attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Tallia Storm attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Myleene Klass attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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Spanish-born singer-songwriter Mabel poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Jorja Smith attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Tom Grennan attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Marvin Humes attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Hailey Baldwin attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Louisa Johnson attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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