Photo: Marc E. · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United Kingdom · Nationality British — Music / celebrities

Adele

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “'Million Years Ago' / 'Mulheres': Brazilian plagiarism dispute, injunction, reinstatement online and transfer of jurisdiction” and “Las Vegas 2022: Residency cancelled on eve of opening, fans' anger and subsequent rescheduling”.

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Profile No. 1510 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies+ 1 background event

10Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2021–2026-09

'Million Years Ago' / 'Mulheres': Brazilian plagiarism dispute, injunction, reinstatement online and transfer of jurisdiction

Civil / administrative proceedings

Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes accuses Adele and Greg Kurstin of copying elements of his song 'Mulheres' in 'Million Years Ago'. In December 2024, a Rio judge issued a provisional injunction restricting distribution of the song and providing for a fine for each breach. The song was subsequently allowed back onto platforms, and in July 2025 the Rio court declined jurisdiction in favour of São Paulo.

State of the evidence: Allegations
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 3

[1]
ReutersBrazilian judge orders Adele song be pulled globally over plagiarism claimNews agencyVery high reliability
[2]
UOLAdele: Justiça do Rio se diz 'incompetente' para julgar suposto plágioMediaHigh reliability
[3]
CNN BrasilJustiça mantém proibição de música de Adele após acusação de plágioMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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2022-01–2022-11

Las Vegas 2022: Residency cancelled on eve of opening, fans' anger and subsequent rescheduling

No legal proceedings

Adele postponed her entire 'Weekends with Adele' Las Vegas residency approximately twenty-four hours before the first show. She initially cited COVID-19 and delivery delays, before explaining that the performance was not artistically ready. Fans who had spent considerable sums on travel and accommodation criticised the late announcement.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianAdele speaks of guilt over cancellation of high-profile Las Vegas showsMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Washington PostAdele postponed her Las Vegas residency. Fans are furious.MediaVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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2022-02-08

Brit Awards 2022: Remark about loving being a woman during first gender-neutral Artist of the Year award

No legal proceedings

Accepting Artist of the Year at the first Brit Awards ceremony without male and female categories, Adele said she understood the change while adding that she loved being a woman and a female artist. The remark prompted accusations of transphobia from some online users and enthusiastic support from others.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianAdele sweeps gender-neutral Brit awards dominated by womenMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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2020-08–2020-09

Notting Hill Carnival 2020: Bantu knots hairstyle and cultural appropriation debate

No legal proceedings

Adele posted a photograph of herself wearing a Jamaican flag top and Bantu knots to mark Notting Hill Carnival weekend. Critics accused her of cultural appropriation and wearing a hairstyle historically associated with Black women.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianAdele accused of cultural appropriation over Instagram pictureMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Los Angeles TimesAdele's hair and bikini spark cultural appropriation criticism — but support tooMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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2015-12

'Million Years Ago': First allegation of similarity to Ahmet Kaya song

Civil / administrative proceedings

Fans of Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya accused Adele of using a melody in 'Million Years Ago' resembling 'Acılara Tutunmak' (1985). The controversy was widely reported in Turkey following release of the album '25'.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianKurdish singer's fans say Adele 'stole' music for recent balladMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

2013–2014-07
Son's privacy: Action over paparazzi photographs and five-figure settlement
Adele and Simon Konecki brought an action on behalf of their son Angelo against the Corbis agency after paparazzi photographs taken during private family moments were circulated. The case ended in a five-figure settlement for the child and an undertaking not to use the photographs concerned again.
Sources · 1
1. The Guardian — Adele’s son gets payout in privacy case

III. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

IV. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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I. Documented controversies

Sources · 3

Sources · 2

Sources · 1

Sources · 2

Sources · 1

II. Documented background

Son's privacy: Action over paparazzi photographs and five-figure settlement

III. Constellation of documented links

IV. Has something changed?

Support the archive