Did Adele cancel her Vegas concerts because she has relationship drama?

While I love Adele, I’ve barely followed all of the drama around Adele in recent weeks. She canceled her upcoming Las Vegas concerts, claiming that the sets were ready and there were other technical issues. She tearfully apologized to fans and ticket-holders and made promises to get back on the stage at some point. She was also reportedly on the phone with her boyfriend Rich Paul a lot when she was in Vegas. And that’s become the focus of a lot of reporting/gossip: the idea that Adele actually canceled her Vegas shows because she has relationship drama with Rich Paul, and she needed to “save her relationship.”

Adele has spent the past week holed up at her boyfriend’s home trying to save their relationship after time apart hugely strained it. The superstar singer, 33, has been dating millionaire sports agent Rich Paul since the middle of last year. But in recent weeks they have struggled to see each other. He has been travelling for work and she was in Las Vegas for her doomed residency.

It emerged at the weekend there was “trouble in paradise” for the couple amid claims she cancelled her Weekends With Adele shows because of problems in their relationship. She previously said set issues, production delays and key team members contracting Covid meant the show “ain’t ready”, which led to her scrapping the 24-date residency.

A source said: “Adele is staying at Rich’s house in Beverly Hills just trying to fix their relationship because things have become strained. They barely saw each other at the beginning of the month because he was away for work and she was trying to focus on the Vegas show. She was upset he couldn’t be there with her when things started falling apart with the residency and it made things difficult for them both. She needed him there, but he couldn’t because he has his own busy career too. It was a very emotional and stressful time for her. Now they are spending some quality time together to try to save things. They really like each other but it’s been a tough few weeks.”

It was previously claimed Adele was heard “shouting and sobbing” on the phone to Rich during rehearsals.

[From The Sun]

Adele was also supposed to perform at the BRIT Awards on February 8th, but she’s canceled that appearance as well. Now, do you think that all of these canceled shows are all because of Adele’s relationship drama? I don’t. I think her show isn’t ready and she’s just plain nervous and anxious about performing again after all of these years, especially if everything isn’t perfect. I also think that sure, she probably has relationship drama on top of that and it’s not helping at all. My guess is that she went to Rich’s house because she needed to regroup and calm herself down, not because they’re on the rocks. But maybe I’m wrong, I have no idea.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Adele’s Instagram.

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42 Responses to “Did Adele cancel her Vegas concerts because she has relationship drama?”

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  1. Lori says:

    Adele should fire her mgmt team, she should call cher, and if she wants to do a simple show without Vegas razzle dazzle, she should do that!

    • Jan90067 says:

      Thing is, pretty much *all* of Adele’s fans who were coming in to see the show (and even those of us that weren’t) would be *just* as happy to see her sitting on a stool on a stage, with just a piano, singing. Or even just a backing band. While people may ooh and ahh at a spectacle, she isn’t someone who *needs* the hoopla going on during a concert to draw attention away from subpar songs/vocals.

      While I don’t doubt there was some Diva antics, too, I think the whole production just got out of control, and became “too much”, just over the top theatrics. I do think a major part is her stage fright, insecurity. I remember during her 2015 tour how she talked about it on stage and said “her man” being there with her gave her courage.

      Still, not a good look to call it on Covid and the supply chain, then run away cancelling ALL of the dates. These reasons could be blamed on stepping back a few WEEKS, but not scrapping the *entire* residency.

  2. Sigmund says:

    My understanding is that she has had past issues with performance anxiety, so I assumed the cancellations had to do with that, combined with the shows reportedly not being ready.

    Don’t know her personally so I could be totally wrong, but I don’t think she’s the type to cancel her concerts over relationship drama.

    • Silver Charm says:

      Not saying that’s what’s happening here but she cancelled parts of the 19 tour to be with her then boyfriend. From a Nylon magazine article:

      “I was drinking far too much and that was kind of the basis of my relationship with this boy. I couldn’t bear to be without him, so I was like, ‘Well, OK, I’ll just cancel my stuff then.'”

      • Nanny to the Rescue says:

        That sounds horribly unprofessional. Strange she even admitted it.

      • Sue says:

        Working the drinking in there and then blaming it on a guy sounds more like she had an issue with drinking and that’s why she missed work.

  3. Marleigh says:

    As soon as I heard it was more then covid I knew the blame was gonna be placed on him in gossip circles.

  4. Angie says:

    Yeah, she called me last night and told me all the juicy details!! Unreal…poor thing

  5. Amy Bee says:

    Yeah, I don’t believe this story. The British press no longer like Adele because she’s moved to LA, she gave Oprah the exclusive interview and she’s dating someone who’s not white. Adele has talked about her unwillingness to tour with COVID still around and I just think when she saw so many of her crew coming down with COVID she felt she couldn’t do the show. Who could blame her, I don’t think there should be any shows while we’re still in a pandemic.

    • Green Desert says:

      Exactly this, Amy Bee. AS IF the Sun has any inside track on Adele. Without knowing her, I’d also bet she wouldn’t CANCEL A SHOW because of relationship drama. That’s bonkers. The British press are 100% pissed that Adele granted access to Oprah, that devil who gave us the Harry and Meghan interview. Adele with her progressive views, takes COVID seriously and has a black boyfriend. I don’t know what to tell anyone who doesn’t see that all of that is connected.

    • BothSidesNow says:

      @ Amy Bee, as much as I adore Adele, I find it unfathomable that she would allow a relationship to interfere with her performances. Adele is a grown woman and she is very centered on keeping her career and her performances top notch!!!! There are NO relationship issues, there are COVID issues, plain and simple!!!

      It’s boiled down to the jealousy and pettiness from Salty Island pissers! It doesn’t mean that she is a diva or is placing her relationships BEFORE her performances. Adele is like the thousands of performers who are having difficulty during this worldwide pandemic. My, my their desperation is pathetic.

      We are STILL under a pandemic!!

  6. Noki says:

    I am not suprised,she is a drama queen when it comes to shows and touring,she cancels a lot and i dont think she even likes it. Fans complained that she has yet to revisit other canceled shows. Some artists dont like the touring aspect so i thought maybe a residency would suit her more but clearly not.

  7. Case says:

    I certainly hope that’s not why. She canceled her residency with barely any notice with fans literally already in Vegas for the show. It was already unprofessional to cancel so last minute, so I’d hope it was for a legitimate reason (COVID is absolutely a valid reason and IMO we shouldn’t be having concerts at all). If her relationship can’t handle a short residency, perhaps it’s not the right relationship.

  8. Nikki says:

    Men are not usually the cure-all for what ails us, except in fairy tales! Take it from an older woman: don’t let your relationship drama get in the way of your career. Men hardly ever do, and that’s one of the reason they end up ahead. If he’s the right guy, he’ll be supportive of your career. If not, dump him. If she’s having lots of anxiety, I hope she can find a very supportive therapist.

  9. Nic says:

    I’m not buying the Covid excuse for why her show was postponed. While I’m an Adele loyalist, I think it was terrible that she canceled the night before her first performance. It was incredibly inconsiderate to those that paid a lot of money for flights and hotels. Furthermore, I can’t get a refund for my tickets until she announces when the postponed shows will take place. Ticketmaster has a policy that the refund will be available if the performer has cancelled outright or when new dates have been released. It’s a bad look for Adele to be holed up with her boyfriend for a week while people are waiting for their money back. I’m sure most fans will forgive her but this is a PR nightmare.

  10. Annaloo. says:

    Im sorry, but do not put the blame on the Black man. I love Adele, but she has a pattern of dealing with her anxiety by cancelling shows.

    She is a professional, and canceling a show while your fans are in midflight on their way to you was never going to be accepted and this headline makes me mad. Adele is powerful enough and has agency to make her own decisions on anything, esp her work.

    I see this from 200 feet back, I wish the media was not sniffing around for blame of her boyfriend or creating the optics of a controlling Black man.

    • Moneypenny424 says:

      I completely agree.

    • kerfuffles says:

      I don’t think saying Adele may have canceled the shows in part because of relationship drama is in any way blaming it on “the Black man.” I think it’s blaming it on Adele because she has long history of stage fright and relationship drama and canceling shows – well before this particular drama. It’s not the man, it’s her.

      Now I think the Sun is scummy so who knows its motivations, but the leaks about her issues with her relationship causing issues with the show came out before this Sun article and were sourced from people in Las Vegas in the hotel and casino.

      Adele is hugely talented. And she’s also a dramatic soul. Sucks this is going on but it sometimes goes with the territory of an emotional artist, particularly a very rich one that can walk away from shows because they don’t need the money.

  11. candy says:

    I hope this isn’t true, because that would make it seem like she’s in an abusive relationship. That said, I totally support her decision to do what’s right for her mental health. I can’t imagine the pressure she was under. There are a lot of gifted musicians that simply hate performing.

  12. lucy2 says:

    Covid, staffing, and supply chain is affecting so many industries, but when she explains that’s what happened and delayed her show, the tabloids scream “No, it’s because of her boyfriend!” ???

    I feel really badly for those who traveled and spent money they won’t get back, but that’s always a risk right now, that an event is going to get canceled or postponed.
    Adele and everyone should have made the call several days before this though.

  13. Lucille says:

    Maybe there is relationship drama but I don’t think that’s the eason for the cancellations. If for some reason it is the cause she needs to suck it up. You can’t let some guy get in the way of your professional life.

    • Briar says:

      The sets not being ready feels like a bizarre reason to cancel shows to me. If that was the case, since she’s known for her voice and not spectacle, I would have thought she could just sit on a stool and do a stripped down set then give the ticket holders a partial refund as “apology” for it not being the show she originally intended. Fans would have been happy and she likely would have gotten good press out of it.

  14. minx says:

    I’m American, but, isn’t The Sun a cheesy rag?

  15. Eurydice says:

    Seriously? What kind of relationship drama can she have with a guy she’s been seeing for only 6 months? And not even 6 months, because he’s been traveling and she’s been in LV with her “doomed residency.”

  16. Catgirl says:

    Not seeing each other for a few weeks does not seem like a believable reason for relationship problems. I have not seen my husband for 2 years due to the pandemic and we are just fine? If that is the reason then just abandon it now Adele, its never going to work.

    • Twin Falls says:

      @catgirl 💯

    • Emma says:

      I can’t imagine being separated from a SO for two years. More power to you that you are just fine!

      Still, lots of people would find that extremely tough, or impossible, to deal with, and that’s valid too. Relationships aren’t all the same.

  17. Cee says:

    I love Adele but I’d never pay to see her live. She has cancelled shows before with little to no notice and hasn’t rescheduled everything. So, yeah… doubt it’s her boyfriend’s fault!

  18. Trish says:

    I’ve been following this drama for a while, Adele is a mess. She’s a stage 5 clinger with a lot of issues. Rich Paul cannot be blamed for this woman canceling all her shows over her love drama, which is a pattern with Adele, just listen to her songs.
    Like Rich doesn’t have enough to deal with with handling Lebron, AD, Trae Young, etc. plus another daughter from a previous marriage, now he’s got Adele blowing up his phone with tears and screaming no less.
    Yes, I’m taking the man’s side on this one because I truly believe Adele is not this perfect songbird that she has crafted.
    He probably moved her in to calm her down and lessen the phone calls.
    I don’t see this relationship lasting at all.

    • Shirurusu says:

      I think you’re right on the money, she seems to self implode every so often and start drinking/ clinging/ cancelling everything. Definitely a case of she’s her own worst enemy here, I don’t think it’s the guys fault

      • beeboop says:

        Nobody’s gonna wanna say it but she lowkey gives off Khloe K vibes. She just hasn’t had the momager pushing her into the spotlight to make money off her. But the repeated cosmetic work and defensiveness about it, relationship dramas and repeated public flameouts them or tour dates. It’s like the two of them repeat the same cycles over and over.

      • Emma says:

        The difference is that Adele is *actually talented* (and she doesn’t make a second career of distorting her body on Instagram with photoshop or filters to make little girls hate themselves). You may be right she’s had messy relationship drama — I don’t follow her that closely — but she’s not possibly at Khloé level … yet).

  19. Cinders says:

    There are all kinds of stories doing the rounds, for example that she never wanted to do the residency in the first place and only turned up to rehearsals the week before the show was due to start. And then there was the cancelled Wembley show (London) which she promised to reschedule but that still hasn’t happened.
    Whatever the reasons, it’s really hard on the fans who spent money on tickets, flights and hotels. And I also wonder about the designers/technicians/musicians who have lost work. Do they still get paid? Because apparently she uses non-union staff.

  20. AppleCart says:

    They are just putting him into the story since she left Vegas for his home in CA. I think she just wants to be Enya record and then go back home to your castle. But that Vegas money is so good and the divorce probably hit her hard in the wallet. Like others I would never spend thousands on an Adele ticket and all the costs of travel involved. Since she cancels at a moment’s notice. I hope people took out travelers insurance that bought tickets.

  21. Kristin says:

    I really dislike that the focus is being put on Rich, the guy who’s a successful agent for top talent – know the business, knows talent management and PR etc. Like he’s not the guy that’s going to pressure her to blow off a Vegas residency hours before showtime because he wants her attention.

  22. EllenOlenska says:

    I don’t care about her reasons, you don’t cancel. She took the residency, she booked the shows… you do the shows. Otherwise if your performance issues are such that you cannot handle performing you resign yourself to studio albums and the funds those provide and you don’t do concerts/tours/residencies. She’s not a teenager anymore, lots of people lost their jobs because she’s “not ready” to do her show. And don’t blame it on the boyfriend either (and I realize the blaming the boyfriend is media conjecture). She is behaving like a child. You’re in the adult world now, time to grow up Adele.

  23. A.Key says:

    Probably not the only reason but seems likely it contributed to it all.
    On a side note, I think it’s fairly obvious from her music she doesn’t have the most healthy relationship with love, men and being in a relationship in general. I think she should stay out of the spotlight for a while and get some therapy. And dump this douche.

  24. Ines says:

    Apparently she’s got crippling stage fright. So I would expect that any of the reasons already mentioned (stage not ready, staff off with Covid, relationship issues) could have given her the excuse to cancel. She has after all cancelled before. Whose idea was it to book her for a residency, honestly.

  25. Merricat says:

    Having anxiety issues and being in a pandemic is a double nightmare. Adele is talented. I hope she continues to make music for as long as she’s able.