Adele attends The BRIT Awards 2022 at The O2 Arena on Feb. 8, 2022 in London.
Mike Marsland/WireImageThere’s no doubt that Adele has one of the most recognizable voices in music. But it’s not just her singing voice that has people captivated — her distinct accent is also memorable, with snippets from her interviews and videos of her on social media going viral.
From the Saturday Night Live cast to Nicki Minaj, a number of celebrities have showed off their best impressions of the chart-topping Brit. Check out our roundup below.
Years after we saw Adele spit Nicki Minaj’s verse from Kanye West’s “Monster” on Carpool Karaoke in January 2016, the Trinidad rapper showed off her own impression of the English singer. Known for having several alter egos, Minaj nailed her British accent a while back, confessing on The Late Late Show it’s usually like that of a “posh white lady.” But Adele’s dialect is different: “In order for me to channel Adele,” she explains in a low-register cockney accent, “I sort of have to think like a Black lady in London, right?”
There are many reasons Sarah Paulson is one of the Internet’s favorite celebrities — from taking part in a viral TikTok trend with Lizzo to her hilarious Instagram Lives throughout the pandemic. And in a November 2021 edition of Burning Questions on The Ellen Show, the Emmy winner gave us another reason to love her. When asked to do her best celebrity impression, where did her mind immediately go? “Divorce babe, divorce,” she says in a deep British accent as the audience laughs. The reference comes from a viral moment from Adele’s October 2021 Instagram Live she did ahead of her album, 30 — where she answered what the project would be based on.
The rules of The Tonight Show‘s Wheel of Musical Impressions segment are simple: Press a button to spin a wheel that reveals one musician and one song. The contestant’s job is to sing that song in the style of that artist. When Alicia Keys joined the show, she belted “The Alphabet Song” (yes, as in the ABCs) to the tune of Adele’s “Hello.” The ballad even got her up and out of her seat.
Saturday Night Live hilariously showed how uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinners can be in a sketch that first aired in November 2015. As family members argue about politics, apparently one thing can bring everyone together: Adele’s chart-topping hit “Hello.” Cast members Beck Bennett, Jay Pharoah, Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon, Vanessa Bayer and host Matthew McConaughey hilariously transform into the singer via her sepia-toned music video.
Wait, what? In November 2015, the BBC posted a video in which a lineup of singers audition to be an Adele impersonator. Little did they know that Adele herself, complete with nose and chin prosthetics, was auditioning too — as a woman named “Jenny.” Watch the prank play out below.
NEWS
In a major setback for the UK summer festival season, global drinks brand Pepsi has confirmed it is ending its relationship with Wireless Festival. The move comes after strong political criticism and public reaction to the festival’s decision to book American rapper Kanye West, who is now legally known as Ye, as a headliner.
The situation intensified this week after Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke out against the booking, according to reporting from The Guardian. Starmer described the decision as "deeply concerning," pointing to the artist’s past antisemitic comments and his open praise of Nazi related figures as being at odds with the values of the United Kingdom. His remarks reflect a wider position within the government that antisemitism must always be challenged firmly to protect the Jewish community and maintain public safety.
Recent releases from the rapper have added further controversy. In the previous year, he drew global criticism after putting out a song called Heil Hitler and attempting to sell products displaying swastika imagery. Although West later apologized in the Wall Street Journal and said his actions were connected to a manic episode, many critics believe his influence still presents serious concerns.
The event, which is planned for July at Finsbury Park in London, is now dealing with growing uncertainty. Aside from losing a key sponsor, there are also questions about whether West will even be able to enter the country. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has the power to refuse entry if someone is considered not beneficial to the public good. These rules allow the Home Office to refuse visas to individuals whose behavior or connections could increase social tensions or encourage hate.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has already urged officials to impose a ban on his entry, while organizations such as the Board of Deputies of British Jews have described the booking as "deeply irresponsible." With a major sponsor stepping away and increasing calls for government action, organizers of Wireless Festival now face significant challenges in keeping the event moving forward.
