Adele and Rich Paul's romance has certainly been a whirlwind. The two first began dating [1] in the summer of 2021 following the "Oh My God" singer [2]'s divorce from husband Simon Konecki [3].
While they prefer to keep their relationship out of the spotlight for the most part, Adele previously opened up about the romance to British Vogue [4], saying she and Paul were "very happy" together. She gushed, "It feels like it's consistent and considerate enough that I don't care who knows. He's great. He's so f*cking funny. He's so smart."
The pair sparked engagement rumours back in February 2022 after Adele attended the Brit Awards wearing a giant pear-shaped diamond ring [5] on that finger. However, Adele later addressed speculation [6] a few months later in her September cover story for Elle [7], in which she confirmed, "I'm not engaged." Though she did say, "I just love high-end jewelry, boy!" Speaking further on her relationship, the Grammy-winning singer also said she's "just in loooove! I'm happy as I'll ever be."
Since then, Adele and Paul have remained fairly low-key, only being spotted courtside together for an occasional basketball game [8] (which seems to be their favourite hobby) and at major events like the 2023 Grammy Awards [9]. In between then, the two have holidayed together [10] and shared some other sweet moments, like when Adele serenaded her beau [11] at one of her Las Vegas residency shows in December 2022 for his birthday.
Read more about the couple's relationship and see a timeline of their romance ahead, including marriage rumours.
July 2021: Adele and Rich Paul Spark Dating Rumours
Following her split from husband Simon Konecki [13], Adele and Paul fuelled dating rumours when they were photographed sitting courtside at the NBA Finals in Arizona.
September 2021: Adele Confirms Romance With Rich Paul
It wasn't until two months later that the singer casually confirmed their relationship [14] by featuring a photo of them together on Instagram.
Adele later opened up about their relationship to "British Vogue [15]," saying they're "very happy." When asked if it was stressful for her to go out in public again after returning to the spotlight, Adele responded, "It used to, but it hasn't been this time because he doesn't mind. Normally, I think I get scared about it because it's very emasculating. Really emasculating."
She added, "I did date before Rich, but they hated it. They'd find it stressful being out or seen with me, which meant that I guarded all of it beyond. It never evolved because we were never experiencing things together. Whereas he's not frazzled by it at all. It feels like it's consistent and considerate enough that I don't care who knows. He's great. He's so f*cking funny. He's so smart, you know."
February 2022: Adele and Rich Paul Spark Engagement Rumours
Now, the couple has fans wondering if they're engaged [16] after Adele attended the 2022 BRIT Awards with a massive pear-shaped diamond ring [17] on her left hand. Though neither Adele nor Paul have responded to the reports, it's not the first time Adele's jewellery has ignited engagement rumours. Back in November, Adele sparked engagement speculation when she was photographed wearing a gold band on that finger. Only time will tell if the rumours are true.
May 2022: Adele and Rich Paul Move In Together
Adele's relationship with boyfriend Rich Paul has been going from strength to strength, and she's now given us the biggest sign that the couple are stepping it up a gear. The 34-year-old shared a sweet Instagram post [18] on 11 May with snaps of her American sports agent beau including the couple holding a set of keys standing outside, what is thought to be, their first home together. [19]
August 2022: Adele Opens Up About Her Romance With Rich Paul
Adele shared an update on her romance with Paul while speaking to Elle for her September 2022 cover story, during which she candidly shared, "I've never been in love like this. I'm obsessed with him [20]." The publication also noted that the singer said Paul "makes her feel safe and encourages her to live her guarded life more freely." Adele also shared, "I definitely want more kids [21]," and said she "absolutely" wants to get married again.
September 2023: Adele Calls Rich Paul Her "Husband"
Over a year after engagement rumours about the two swirled, Adele added marriage rumours to the gossip mill when she referred to Paul as her "husband" during one of her Vegas shows. Per a TikTok video [22] shared on 16 Sept., when a fan asked if she could marry Adele, the singer joked, "You can't marry me, I'm straight, my love. And my husband's here tonight. He's here," referring to Paul.
November 2023: Adele Reportedly "Confirms" Marriage to Rich Paul
While the "confirmation" comes third hand, rumours were taken up a notch on 21 Nov. when gossip account Deux Moi [23] shared details of the marriage news. Two audience members who attended Alan Carr's Los Angeles comedy show recounted that Adele, who is good friends with the comedian, was in attendance. "I was at Alan Carr's comedy show in LA tonight and Adele was in the audience. Alan asked the crowd if anyone got married recently and Adele shouted 'I did'," one crowd member explained.
Another added: "When [Carr] asked if anyone got married recently [Adele] yelled 'I did.' Super cute all around and was super sweet but dipped right before it ended. Adele was sitting right behind me with a friend having the best time. Her security only came in to bring her snacks. She didn't care if people knew she was there. She was heckling [Carr] — they're best friends."