Adele Sparks Marriage Rumors by Referring to Rich Paul as Her Husband

At Adele’s residency show in Las Vegas on September 16, 2023, concertgoers thought they were just going to experience a musical performance from the Grammy Award-winning artist—but they also may have gotten an insight into her relationship status. The “Hello” singer referred to her boyfriend, Rich Paul, as her husband at the show, sparking marriage rumors.

In a TikTok video that fan account @adeleslittleloveee posted on September 17, 2023, Adele is shown talking to a member of the crowd. The fan asks the musician, “Can I marry you?” Adele responds, “You can’t marry me. I’m straight, my love, and my husband’s here tonight.” The fan doesn’t take no for an answer, so she poses, “Can you try?” Adele is quick to shut her down, “No, I don’t want to try,” she says lightly. “I’m with Rich. You’re crazy. Leave me alone.”

The “Rolling in the Deep” singer and the sports agent, whose client list includes Lebron James and Anthony Davis, were first spotted together in July 17, 2021, while watching the NBA finals. After their first public appearance together, fans speculated that the two were an item. A source confirmed to People that Adele started dating Paul a few months before then. In an interview with Vogue, Adele commented on her relationship debut with the sports agent. “I didn’t mean to go public with it,” she explains. “I just wanted to go to the game. I just love being around him. I just love it.” She also listed some of the qualities she loves most about her boyfriend. “He’s great,” she gushes, “He’s so f***ing funny. He’s so smart, you know.”

The duo primarily keeps their relationship under wraps, but in February 2022, Adele was seen wearing a diamond ring on her left ring finger, which made fans question whether she was engaged. While appearing on The Graham Norton Show that same month, host Graham Norton asked about the bling, but Adele evaded the question. “As if I would ever tell anyone if I was or wasn’t,” she said coyly. “It’s lovely though, isn’t it?” In an interview with Elle on August 15, 2022, the award-winning singer put the engagement rumors to rest, clarifying that the statement rock was not an engagement ring. “I just love high-end jewelry, boy,” she said.

In addition to shutting down any thoughts on her rumored engagement, during the same interview, Adele answered speculation over whether she’s tied the knot. “Well, I’m not married,” she stated. “I’m just in love! I’m happy as I’ll ever be. I might as well get married.” She also opened up about how her relationship with Paul is different than any other partnership she’s had. “I’ve never been in love like this,” she admitted. “I’m obsessed with him.”

Although Adele and Paul have yet to confirm whether they’ve said “I do,” in response to the singer’s comments over the weekend, Adele told Elle that she’d “absolutely” consider tying the knot again. Adele was previously married to Simon Konecki, with whom she shares son Angelo, but they decided to go their separate ways in 2019. In addition to revealing her stance on marriage, the artist also shared that she’s open to having more children. “I’m a homemaker, and I’m a matriarch, and a stable life helps me with my music,” she explains.