Grammy Awards 2023: Adele fights tears after boyfriend Rich Paul told her ‘not to cry’ at show

Adele fought not to cry as she accepted the award for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

The British singer, 34, who now lives in Los Angeles, was overcome with emotion when she took to the stage at the ceremony to collect the award for her song Easy on Me, from her “new best friend” Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

During her short acceptance speech, the Hello singer dedicated the award to her son, Angelo, 10, before calling out her boyfriend Rich Paul, who told her “not to cry” if she won.

Adele said: "I really was just looking forward to coming tonight, I just want to dedicate this to my son Angelo." After which she began to cry, which prompted her to address her boyfriend’s advice.

As her sports agent boyfriend, Rich Paul looked on from the audience, Adele said: "Oh god Rich, he said ‘don’t cry, if you win anything tonight don’t cry!’ and here I am crying."

Adele then opened up about the importance of the song, and how she wrote it for her son, Angelo.

Addressing the audience, she said: "This is for my son and I wrote this first verse in the shower when I was choosing to change my son’s life. He’s been nothing but gracious and humble to me the whole time."

Adele parted ways with her ex-husband and her son’s father, Simon, in 2019, and made her relationship with Rich Paul official in September 2021.

At the start of the ceremony, during host Trevor Noah’s opening monologue, he entered the audience and approached Adele. He said: "The person that Adele has always wanted to meet is Dwayne Johnson….I found out he’s a huge fan of yours, too."

The comedian then teased the singer by saying that he didn’t have Dwayne here tonight, but he did have “someone called The Rock.”

The singer previously admitted that she "would actually cry" if she met The Rock in person, and now shocked at his presence, she immediately stood up and embraced a big hug and kiss from the actor.

Adele admitted to her love of Dwayne Johnson in a video on Nikkie de Jager’s popular NikkiTutorials YouTube channel in December 2021.

She said:"I was the biggest wrestling fan when I was younger."

She went on to explain how he sent flowers to one of her concerts, while admitting that she “literally fell off” her chair because she was so excited.

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards saw many British stars be recognised including Harry Styles, who won Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. British Rock Legend, Ozzy Osbourne also took home Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance, after recently retiring due to health issues.

Relatively new British Indie rock band, Wet Leg impressed by taking home Best Alternative Music Performance and Best Alternative Music Album.