Adele Botches Live Grammy Performance, Stops The Show

Robert Hanashiro/USA Today

Very few singers could get away with messing up a song during the biggest awards show of the year. When most artists would get roasted for stopping a performance mid-song and starting over, pop singer Adele has does the opposite. 

The singer was drafted to perform a tribute to the late George Michael during the televised portion of Sunday night’s Grammy Award show. Roughly one minute into her performance of Michael’s 1996 hit song “Fastlove,” Adele cursed when she realized she was off key then stopped the song and began to apologize. (See the video below.)

“I’m sorry for swearing and I’m sorry for starting again. Can we please start it again?” She continued: “I’m sorry, I can’t mess this up for him. I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m sorry for swearing — I’m really sorry. I’m sorry, Ken.” (Ken Ehrlich produces the Grammy Awards telecast.)

While visibly shaken and on the verge of tears, Adele made it through the song on her second try.

Adele would go on to win all five Grammys that she had been nominated for, and took the opportunity during her acceptance speech for song of the year to address her performance.

“First of all, I really do apologize for swearing,” she said. “George Michael, I love him, so it means a lot to me. I’m really sorry if I offended anyone anywhere.”

Adele’s reaction to the flub earned her praise both from the live Grammy audience and from home viewers, many of which took to social media to praise the singer. 

@Adele loved your tribute to George Michael . I still respect you for starting over, we are all human we make mistakes

— Larry Ankenman Jr (@Ankenmanjr) February 13, 2017

I just watched Adele’s tribute performance to George Michael and IM CRYING

— chelsea (@seea_chel) February 13, 2017

@Adele Thank you for your moving tribute to George Michael. You killed it. I was finally able to cry. Thank you. ❤❤❤

— Tamara Jokinen (@TRJokinen) February 13, 2017

What did you think about how Adele handled the flub on national television?