Adele's next chapter is on the big screen. The singer makes her acting debut in Cry to Heaven, Tom Ford's adaptation of Anne Rice's 1982 novel set in 18th-century Italy. Filming began in Rome on 19 January 2026 and wrapped in March, with Nicholas Hoult and Colin Firth among the cast.
It is her first major project since she stepped away from music in 2024, after ten record-breaking nights in Munich and the final run of her Las Vegas residency. Browse more tribute designs in our pop music collection.
Adele Fact File
| Full name | Adele Laurie Blue Adkins |
| Date of birth | 5 May 1988 (age 38) |
| Place of birth | Tottenham, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2006-present |
| Genres | Pop, soul, with blues and gospel influences |
| Labels | XL Recordings, Columbia, Melted Stone |
| Known for | 21, Hello, Skyfall, 16 Grammy Awards |
Career History
| Year | Album | Label/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 19 | XL/Columbia - UK No. 1, US No. 4 |
| 2011 | 21 | XL/Columbia - UK and US No. 1, 24 weeks atop the Billboard 200 |
| 2015 | 25 | XL/Columbia - UK and US No. 1, 14x Platinum in the UK |
| 2021 | 30 | Columbia - UK and US No. 1 |
The table lists Adele's four studio albums, each named after her age when she wrote it. Peaks are from the Official Charts (UK) and the Billboard 200 (US), with certifications from the BPI.
Early Years in London
Adele was born in Tottenham and raised by her mother in London and, briefly, Brighton. She studied at the BRIT School in Croydon, graduating in May 2006. A three-song demo she recorded for a class project was posted on MySpace by a friend, and it caught the ear of Richard Russell at XL Recordings, who signed her in September 2006.
Celebrate those London roots with our Adele Men's Hoodie.
The Breakthrough: 19 and 21
Her debut album, 19, entered the UK chart at number one in January 2008, and she was named the first winner of the Brits Critics' Choice award that year. In 2009 she won Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Chasing Pavements.
Then came 21 in 2011. Powered by Rolling in the Deep and Someone like You, it topped the charts in 30 countries, spent 24 weeks at number one in the US and became the best-selling album of the 21st century. At the 2012 Grammys it won all six awards it was up for, including Album of the Year.
Wear the era with our Adele Men's T-Shirt.
Skyfall, Hello and the Defining Moments
Her Bond theme Skyfall won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2013. In 2015 Hello opened the 25 era by debuting at number one in the UK and becoming the first song to sell more than a million US downloads in a single week. The album swept the 2017 Grammys with five wins, including Album and Record of the Year.
30 followed in 2021, led by Easy on Me, and her TV special Adele One Night Only earned a Primetime Emmy in 2022.
Las Vegas, Munich and Where She Is Now
Weekends with Adele opened at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on 18 November 2022 and closed on 23 November 2024 after 100 shows. In August 2024 she played ten nights in a purpose-built 80,000-capacity venue in Munich, selling around 730,000 tickets. She then announced an indefinite break from music, and no fifth album has been announced.
Awards and Honours
Grammy Awards
- 16 wins from 25 nominations
- Best New Artist (2009)
- Six wins in 2012, including Album of the Year for 21
- Five wins in 2017, including Album and Record of the Year for 25
- Best Pop Solo Performance for Easy on Me (2023)
Film and Television
- Academy Award for Best Original Song - Skyfall (2013)
- Golden Globe for Best Original Song - Skyfall (2013)
- Primetime Emmy for Adele One Night Only (2022)
Other Honours
- 12 Brit Awards, including three for British Album of the Year
- MBE for services to music (2013)
- 18 Guinness World Records
Away From the Spotlight
Adele is famously private, rarely using social media between album campaigns. During one of her Munich shows on 9 August 2024 she confirmed her engagement to sports agent Rich Paul.
FAQs
How old is Adele?
Adele was born on 5 May 1988, so she is 38 years old as of October 2026.
What is Adele's real name?
Her full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins.
Where was Adele born?
She was born in Tottenham, north London, and grew up in London and Brighton.
How many albums has Adele released?
Adele has released four studio albums: 19 (2008), 21 (2011), 25 (2015) and 30 (2021).
How many Grammys has Adele won?
She has won 16 Grammy Awards from 25 nominations, including Album of the Year twice.
Is Adele releasing a new album?
No fifth album has been announced as of October 2026. Her current project is her acting debut in Tom Ford's Cry to Heaven.
Shop the Adele Collection
Pick your favourite fan tribute design from our Adele range below.
Adele Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Adele Men's T-Shirt
£29.99
Explore more in our pop music collection and female singers collection, or put your own name on a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Amy Winehouse Career Story: Her Albums, Grammys and Legacy and Ed Sheeran: His Albums, Record Tours and the Loop Tour.
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