Adele: The Voice That Made the World Cry (and Sing Along)

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, born May 5, 1988, in Tottenham, London, is more than just a singer. She’s a global phenomenon with a voice that stops time and lyrics that feel like pages ripped from your own diary. Known for her powerhouse mezzo-soprano vocals and emotionally raw songwriting, Adele has become one of the best-selling artists of all time, racking up over 120 million records sold worldwide. From her debut 19 to her most recent release 30, every album feels like a chapter in her life and ours.

But Adele isn’t your average chart-topper. She’s a 16-time Grammy Award winner, an Oscar winner for the Bond theme “Skyfall,” and the first artist in history to have an album (21) stay at number one on the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks. She’s also hilariously down to earth. She once canceled a US tour to stay with a boyfriend (it didn’t last, but at least we got a heartbreak album out of it), and she famously created an alter ego named “Sasha Carter” (a blend of Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce and June Carter) to help combat stage fright.

Off stage, Adele is full of surprises. She’s a massive Spice Girls fan and credits them for inspiring her musical journey. She became an ordained minister to officiate comedian Alan Carr’s wedding in her backyard. She’s not afraid to get real with her fans, opening up about motherhood, mental health, and her recent journey to sobriety. Her “Hello” video broke records by hitting 1 billion views on YouTube in just 88 days. Adele doesn’t just make music, she creates emotional milestones.

In 2024, Adele revealed she would be taking an indefinite break from music following the end of her Las Vegas residency. Before that, she’ll perform for 80,000 fans in a custom-built venue in Munich. Whether she’s singing to a packed stadium or sipping tea in a music video, Adele doesn’t just perform. She connects, she heals, and she leaves us all feeling a little more understood.