SHE’S broken the internet more than any other celeb this year, teasing fans with selective snaps of her incredible weight loss.
And having shed seven stone through a mixture of strict diet and exercise, it’s no surprise that Adele, 32, has been celebrating her transformation since unveiling it on Instagram back in May.
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Adele’s incredible transformation was teased back in February, at the Oscars after party
Over the weekend, she showcased another unrecognisable new look, sporting curly hair and a face scrubbed clean of her trademark eyeliner and heavy lashes, as she paid tribute to Beyonce.
The constantly changing image of the London-born singer coincides with a new chapter of her life, after she split with husband Simon Konecki, 46, last year and prepares to release her fifth album after a five-year hiatus.
“I think the main point is to show how truly happy she is following her break-up, acting as reassurance for her huge following,” says social media expert Andy Barr, founder of digital PR & social agency 10 Yetis.
“For the more wishful thinkers among us, we’re hoping that she is upping her social media output for a potential release of an album or single!”
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Adele split with husband Simon Konecki in 2019 after five yearsCredit: Getty Images
“Adele has always struck me as being a person who is confident and comfortable in her own skin – regardless of her size,” says stylist Susie Hasler, founder of Styled by Susie.
“When she was bigger, she dressed incredibly well for her shape – and the same can be said for the singer since her weight loss.”
Each post from Adele, mum to seven-year-old son Angelo, has been showered with likes and positive comments – but what are the hidden messages behind the inspiring pictures?
Here, Susie, Andy and psychologist Susan Marchant-Haycox explore the meaning behind Adele’s ever-changing looks.
The ‘girl power’ shot
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Spice Girls fan Adele joined her heroes in June 2019 and celebrated afterwardsCredit: Instagram
Devoted fan Adele joined the Spice Girls on their 2019 reunion tour, two months after she announced she was splitting with her charity boss husband after five years.
The gig seemed to be just the boost she needed and Adele, who has been a huge fan of the ’90s icons since the age of ten, was chuffed to pose with them backstage.
The social media expert says: “Adele posing with arguably one of the most iconic girl groups of all time shows she’s totally comfortable among these sexy 90s legends, and screams of independence and girl power!’
“This is clearly a common theme post break-up.”
The psychologist says: “Fame brought the Spice Girls some insecurities which they have now conquered, like Adele.
“The V for victory sign is an acknowledgement of perhaps overcoming obstacles and freedom and liberation at last.”
The ‘happy & single’ beach snap
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Adele was pictured by a fan on the beach in Anguilla in JanuaryCredit: BackGrid
The first real glimpse of the star’s svelte new figure came courtesy of a fan, who bumped into her on a beach in the Caribbean resort of Anguilla in January.
The newly single star was on a mates’ holiday with Harry Styles and James Corden, as well as son Angelo.
The psychologist says: “The picture of Adele alone indicates a freshness.
“Her body posture is relaxed and confident – revealing more of her body than before.”
The social media expert says: “Yet another picture of Adele with a radiating smile is amazing to see, and clearly shows how content she is.
“I’m sure it’s no coincidence that there are so many images of her looking happy on her own.”
The ‘proud’ weight loss reveal
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Adele posted this jaw-dropping picture on her 32nd birthday sending fans into a spinCredit: Instagram/ Adele
There had been hints of weight loss before the singer’s birthday, in the Caribbean beach shot and at the Oscars a month later.
But it was the birthday snap she posted in May, to thank her fans for their kind wishes, which broke the internet.
The newly slim singer, who has dropped a huge seven stone by following a strict diet and working out with a personal trainer, posed outside her house in a black mini-dress and looked completely unrecognisable.
The stylist says: “Adele’s style has shifted from more of a formal look, with glamorous, long sweeping gowns, to shorter, more figure-hugging dresses.
“Each outfit – before and after her weight change – has been carefully selected to suit her shape and colour tone.”
The psychologist says: “This is a stunning picture of Adele where she looks younger with longer hair, happier, with a completely different style of dress.
“She no longer hides her body, but shows of her slimmer one with great ‘pins.’ It says ‘this is a different and more confident me.'”
The social media expert says: “If social media is good for anything it is shouting about body positivity and Adele is no different, despite her normally-subdued social media output.
“The nature of the pictures and the increase in her social media activity is testament to how clearly proud Adele is of her new look, which will no doubt increase her popularity, as body-confident celebrities are often lauded by the public.”
The exotic, sexy superstar
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The singer smoulders in a moody picture from her birthday celebrationsCredit: Instagram
The Skyfall singer looked every inch the Bond girl as she celebrated her birthday with pal Nicole Richie in May.
Although taken around the same time, the sexy, smouldering look, glamorous up do and figure-hugging mini were a stark contrast to the smiling girl-next-door in the weight loss reveal pic.
The social media expert says: “Single life may have been just the tonic to help Adele begin to love herself again, and her pictures show – or at least portray – that she is happy without her ex.
“Posting pictures of how glowing and healthy you are following a break-up is a sure-fire way to show that you are prospering.”
The psychologist says: “A split can often result in major weight loss or gain, and in Adele’s case it has had a positive impact.
“It has boosted her self-image and self-esteem and transformed this natural beauty into an exotic, sexy superstar.
“To match her weight loss, the singer has also changed her wardrobe from long dresses to figure-hugging dresses.
“She oozes sexuality and looks at peace with herself – bringing more adoration from her fans.”
The ‘look how far I’ve come’ post
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The singer dances in the dress she wore to headline Glastonbury in 2016, before her seven stone weight loss Credit: Instagram/Adele
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The singer first showcased the dress on the Pyramid StageCredit: Rex Features
Like proud slimmers when they climb into an oversized pair of their old trousers, Adele couldn’t resist digging out her iconic beaded Glastonbury dress during a lockdown reshowing of her set.
The post was a timely reminder of how much weight she had managed to lose since that 2016 gig.
The stylist says: “By wearing the outfit she wore to perform at Glastonbury, I think the message to her fans is that she’s still the same talented and likeable person they fell in love with all those years ago.
“She’s confident and happy, always looks immaculate – and women will always love her.”
The psychologist says: “Donning an iconic dress from the past is a reminder of what she was… but now where is heading.
“Divorce for anyone is traumatic and depressing, but for Adele it spelt a change from a mental and physical perspective and she’s confronting both aspects head-on.”
Self-assured by the ‘real me’
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Ditching the glam clothes and make-up signals she is happy to be seen as she really isCredit: Instagram
Fans of the Chasing Pavements star are used to seeing her glammed up to the nines, with heavy eye make-up and fabulous clothes.
So this recent snap of her relaxing at home in her sweatpants and T-shirt, make-up free, was a refreshing insight into the off-duty Adele.
The caption on the picture – ‘five ciders in’ – was a typically down to earth message that she’s still one of us.
The psychologist says: “Again, Adele is revealing her self-assurance.
“This totally natural look and pose is revealing… no props, just a picture of some at ease with herself.”
Au naturale & ‘in total control’
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Her most recent post shows the singer with curly hair and no make-up as she pays tribute to idol BeyonceCredit: Instagram
The singer’s latest post showcased a new curly style and a slap-free face, as she posed in front of artwork for Beyonce’s album Black is King.
The psychologist says: “This shows Adele with a natural angelic face.
“She is going back to reality and naturalness revealing a ‘new’ confidence in herself and she’s stripped herself of all artificial aid of make-up.
“How many of us would go without make-up? This picture certainly shows that Adele is in a different mode in her life. And it’s a change for the good.”
The social media expert says: “While the frequent and dramatic hair changes could be down to something as simple as playing with styles or even lockdown boredom, this sort of thing is common in break-ups, particularly when it comes to posting on social media.
“Hair colour is something you have complete control over, so to change it dramatically shows that you have that control.”
