Adele broke down in tears on stage on Sunday night (12 June), as she paid her respects to the victims of the Orlando shootings.
Less than 24 hours after around 50 people were killed at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Adele was performing in Belgium, where she took the opportunity to say a few words in light of the tragedy.
After opening the show with two of her signature songs, ‘Hello’ and ‘Hometown Glory’, Adele told the crowds: “I’d like to start tonight by dedicating this entire show to everybody in Orlando, and at Pulse nightclub last night.”
Revealing why the atrocity had hit so close to home, she continued: “The LGBTQI community... they’re like my soulmates, since I was really young, so I’m really moved by it.”
She then broke down in tears on stage, sparking a wave of applause from the enthusiastic crowd in Antwerp.
James Corden delivered a similarly moving speech as he opened the Tony Awards that same evening, as he made his debut hosting the awards show.
In lieu of a traditional comedy monologue, James paid an emotional tribute on an empty stage, telling viewers: “All around the world people are trying to come to terms with the horrific events that took place in Orlando this morning. On behalf of the whole theater community and every person in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity.
Back in March, Adele used her platform for a similar cause, honouring the victims of the terrorist attack in Brussels.
