What's happened to Adele? Troubled star cancels another appearance
Watch: More on why Adele postponed Las Vegas residency
Adele has not had a good month. Having cancelled her much-anticipated Las Vegas shows, and faced a storm of criticism for "letting fans down", the tearful star has reportedly now pulled out of the Brit Awards on 8 February, where she was booked to perform one of her most recent hits from mega-selling album 30.
Less than a fortnight ago, Adele burst into tears in an instagram video, as she told fans she was cancelling her Las Vegas residency because "it just ain't ready".
Now, reports suggest that all may not be entirely well with her relationship. The singer has been dating the sports agent Rich Paul, 40, since early last year, but according to The Sun, things are strained due to the enforced time apart lately.
She has allegedly just moved into his Beverly Hills home to patch things up. A source said: "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."
A New York newspaper reported that the singer, 33, cancelled her long-planned Caesar's Palace residency, Weekends with Adele under 24 hours before the first show, because of 'issues' with Paul, with some reports suggesting that relationship problems were making her incapable of performing, and added that she was "crying through rehearsals".
The run was supposed to stretch from last week until April, but ticket-holders are still awaiting an announcement on rescheduling, while some dates have now been filled by country star Keith Urban.
According to Adele herself, it was problems with supplies and set-building that had caused the hold-up.
"My show ain't ready," she said.
"We've tried absolutely everything that we can to put it together in time, and for it to be good enough for you. But we've been absolutely destroyed by delivery delays and COVID," she told her 49 million followers, tearfully.
"Half my team are down with COVID, they still are, and it's been impossible to finish the show."
She told fans she had been "awake for 30 hours" trying to "figure it out" but that they had "run out of time...it's been impossible to finish the show. I can't give you what I have right now and I'm gutted.
"I'm sorry, it's so last minute. I'm so upset and I'm really embarrassed and I'm so sorry to everyone that's travelled again."
She added: "We're going to reschedule all the dates, we're on it right now. And I'm going to finish my show. I want to to get it to where it's supposed to be [but] we've been up against so much and it just ain't ready."
Reports suggested the singer was also unhappy with the complex set, which featured a swimming pool centre stage.
Read more: Adele breaks down in tears after being reunited with her beloved teacher during London show
But with tickets costing between $85 (£60) to $685 (£500) and many fans already in Vegas to see her first show, the announcement came as a huge disappointment to fans who had travelled to be there - they would have been Adele's first live concerts in five years.
One fan who was travelling from Brooklyn to Las Vegas as the cancellation was announced told the BBC.
"I was furious that Adele waited so last minute to make this call," she said. "I recognise it's not a call any artist wants to make but she would've known yesterday that the show wouldn't be ready by tomorrow.
"Her lack of notice is astounding. I'm angry and frustrated."
The singer has also cancelled her Brits appearance next week, though "(organisers) are talking to her team to see if she can appear by video link. It's a massive headache but they want her involved in any way she will agree," according to several reports.
However, if the reports from US gossip site Page Six are true the cancellation may also be down to Adele's emotional state. "Sources told Page Six that the singer was 'shouting and sobbing' on the phone to Rich Paul during rehearsals," they reported.
"Adele’s been crying and couldn’t get through a single full rehearsal for the past month,” a Caesars Palace source told the site.
Meanwhile, other rumours suggested there were conflicts with management at Caesar's Palace, and a TMZ reporter alleged the cancellation happened because 'she wasn't happy with anything'.
Scott Roeben, a Las Vegas-based journalist for Casino.org who initially revealed the news of the residency, also told Page Six that people are worried the concerts won't be rescheduled.
“There are rumblings that there are stresses related to Adele’s relationship. I’m told that these stresses caused her to be in a place where she was just not confident moving forward...You can’t focus if you’re not where you need to be in your head,” he said.
While speculation rages, Adele is currently staying with Paul. But whether she'll successfully get the shows or the relationship — or both — back on track is yet to be revealed.
Fortunately, many fans have been understanding. Under Adele's post, one of more than 100,000 comments read "Everyone understands! Don't beat yourself up! It will all work out, no more tears," while others said, "we love you. don't worry," and "Thank you for doing what's right, even when it isn't easy."
Fingers crossed the much-loved star can still perform via video link at the Brits - and get a grip on the problems that have beset her lately.
Watch: Bat steals the show at Adele concert in Mexico City
