ADELE: THE SHOW CAN'T GO ON

Despite an emotional apology, the singer has come under fire for cancelling her Las Vegas residency

- NICI DE WET

FOR years she’s been a darling of the music world – a star who counts Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama among her many fans, a songbird whose startling voice and searing lyrics can bring tears to the eyes of the most jaded of listeners.

But Adele has toppled pretty hard from her popularity perch and is facing a backlash from fans prepared to travel halfway across the world to see her in action – quite literally in this case.

She’s been branded a diva, unreasonable and unprofessional after cancelling her highly anticipated three-month Las Vegas residence, Weekends with Adele, at the last minute.

Just 24 hours before what would’ve been her opening night at the Colosseum’s Caesars Palace, she told fans it was offin an emotional Instagram video.

The London-born star, who’s worth around $200 million (R3 billion), wept as she declared “my show ain’t ready”.

“I’m sorry it’s so last minute.” She blamed the saga on “delivery issues” and “half the crew being down with Covid”.

“I can’t give you what I have right now and I’m gutted,” she said, her voice cracking.

The Grammy-winning singer would’ve raked in $1m (R15m) per show, plus a cut from merchandise sold at the 4 200-seater venue.

But for those fans who’d forked out anything from $1 325 (R20 000) to $17 000 (R258 000) a ticket, took time offwork and travelled a long way, the apology was too little, too late.

One fan found out mid-air while flying from New York to Vegas. “Her lack of notice is astounding,” she fumed. “I’m angry and frustrated.”