Fredi Magazine Winter 2016 / Volume 2 Issue 2 | Page 16

» a shining superstar Here again, Adele writes with a universal voice reminiscing of her past. This kind of vulnerability makes Adele as real as any of us. It is hard to argue with results. When the single ʻHello’ was released it made a record-shattering start on Billboard Hot 100 blasting in at No.1 making it the 24th song ever to start at the summit. With over 1.1 million downloads sold it became the first song ever to sell 1 million downloads in one week according to Nielson Music. No ʻhello’ has ever been made more famous or faster than Adele’s. Hello, in a way, was a message reaching out to her fans after years of being away. This message of connection tells us how important her fans are to her. She candidly said she was frightened that she might have been forgotten. With over 15 million copies of 25 sold worldwide, we can say that she is anything but forgotten. Whether it’s through her lyrics, or talking to her fans in between songs at her concerts, Adele continues to connect with them and them in return. Her fans are the reason why she tours. She was quoted in an interview with Vanity Fair recently (November 2016 issue) that she doesn’t need the money and doesn’t have to tour, “I’m simply on tour to see everyone. I’m British, and we don’t have that…that thing of having to earn more money all the time. I don’t come from money; and it’s not that important a part of my life.” In the same interview she says, “all of my relationships are more important to me than any tour I’ll ever do. If my relationship with Simon (partner) or my relationship with Angelo (son) started to flounder a bit now, I would pull out of my tour. My life is more important to me than anything I’m doing because how the f*ck am I supposed to write a record if I don’t have a life? If I don’t have a real life, then it’s game over anyway.” It’s this kind of honesty, and frankness that makes Adele so relatable. In ten short years Adele has acquired a huge and very loyal fan base that welcome her songs as a way to share with her the experiences of her life – much as a friend would – and this will no doubt continue for as long as she is willing to share. 16 • fredi winter 2016 COVERSTORY //