Adele has publicly addressed rumors of her engagement to sports executive Rich Paul, which were confirmed when a fan jokingly proposed to the Grammy Award-winning singer during a concert in Munich, Germany on August 9. “I can't marry you. I'm already married,” Adele replied with a smile, showing off the ring on her left hand.
The announcement came after months of speculation about the couple's plans. In an August 2022 interview with Elle magazine, Adele expressed her deep love for Paul. “I've never been more in love,” she said. “I'm crazy about him.”
Adele and Paul, CEO of sports agency KLUTCH Sports Group, first came into the public eye when they were spotted together at an NBA Finals game in July 2021. Their relationship quickly became a frequent media topic, with basketball games becoming a regular date night. The couple made their relationship Instagram official in September of the same year.
In October 2021, Adele told Vogue magazine that she and Paul met at a party a few years ago. She recalled her first impression of him with amusement: “I was a little drunk and I said, 'Would you like to sign me? I'm an athlete now,'” she said. “He was dancing. All the other guys were just sitting there. He just kept dancing.”
Their relationship was further highlighted in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, featured in the CBS special “One Night Only” in November 2021. Adele praised Paul's humor and intellect, saying, “He's just so funny. Oh, he's so funny, so funny. And so smart. You know, he's really, really smart. It's just so incredible to see the things he does.” She also said their relationship represented a new chapter in her life, saying for the first time that she was truly open to loving and being loved.
The couple sparked engagement rumors in February 2022 when Adele showed up to the Brit Awards wearing a prominent diamond ring on her ring finger. However, during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show shortly thereafter, Adele remained tight-lipped about the ring's meaning. “I'm not going to tell anybody if I'm engaged,” she said at the time. “But it's nice, isn't it?”
In August 2022, Adele spoke more openly about her future plans, revealing that she is open to marriage and wanting to grow her family. “I definitely want more kids,” she told Elle magazine. “I'm a housewife and a head of the household, and having a stable life helps with my music career.”
Rich Paul's 41st birthday, which came in December 2023, was celebrated at one of Adele's Las Vegas residencies. During the event, Adele serenaded Paul with “Happy Birthday” and expressed her love with a heartfelt message: “I love you more than life itself. Happy birthday,” she said.
Adele's engagement announcement marks a new milestone in her personal life, following much speculation and excitement among fans and media.
