ADELE’s dramatic cancellation of her Las Vegas concerts came after a series of explosive rows about the staging derailed the production.
The superstar left fans — some of whom had paid up to £9,000 for tickets — devastated when she announced this week that her shows at Caesars Palace would not go ahead.
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In a tearful video posted on social media, she blamed the last-minute postponement on “half her crew” being off work with Covid.
But our sources say the production had long been in jeopardy thanks to behind-the-scenes clashes, including with acclaimed set designer Esmeralda Devlin.
Brit Esmeralda, known as Es, previously worked with Adele on her world tour in 2016.
But it is understood she and the Hello singer argued in the run-up to the opening night of her latest concerts.
One source told us: “In spite of the set costing millions to put together, Adele was unhappy with the result, and she made her feelings very clear to Es.
‘Too much indecision’
“She was already nervous and the falling-out sent her spiralling into a panic because she was desperate that everything should be perfect.”
A second source told how the row came after the production had already been thrown into chaos by “endless changes” to the running order.
They revealed: “There was no real clarity around what Adele wanted for the show because of the endless changes being made to the production.
“It seemed that while she has always preferred a stripped-back performance, she was under some pressure to come up with a huge extravaganza.
“So there was a constant ricochet between those two versions of what the show should be, and it did cause some quite explosive arguments.
“Most shows have teething problems of one kind or another, but there has been a feeling for some time that these shows were heading for disaster.
“It is well known that Adele suffers badly with anxiety when it comes to performing live, so it’s hard to imagine her going ahead if she wasn’t happy.”
While Adele’s shows sold out instantly online during the pre-sales period, prices on resale websites reportedly began dropping earlier this month.
And tellingly, a statement issued by Caesars Palace last week did not mention Covid, but noted: “Creating a show of this magnitude is incredibly complex.”
The source added: “Adele was so excited about these shows. But when it came down to it, there was too much indecision and conflict for them to work.”
Our revelations come as Adele tried to win back favour with her fans by FaceTiming them personally — and offering them free merchandise.
A message scrawled on a mirror on the Adele store in Caesars Palace yesterday read: “Hi guys, I’m so upset to not be with you tonight, but I know some of you are here already, so please hang out and look at the outfits, take pics of anything you want of yourselves and with each other.
“There’s people in the room I worked with on the store and the merch. There’s members of my management here too to show you around.
“And any of you in here who were due to come to the show this weekend can have a gift on me! I’m so sorry again, Love Adele x”
Or as a fan might put it: “I came to Vegas to see Adele, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.”
Dornan and Cumming’s unlikely duet
JAMIE DORNAN had a secret karaoke party with thespian Alan Cumming Down Under.
While shooting his hit BBC1 drama The Tourist in Adelaide last year, Jamie crooned Disney songs with his fellow actor.
Jamie said of their unlikely duet: “I don’t love doing karaoke. I need to be really p****d and with people that truly know me and understand me.
“In saying that, I ended up doing karaoke with Alan. So I brought my kids along and we sang Let It Go from Frozen. It was one of the best moments of my life.”
Oti: stylists more used to Afros now
WHEN Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse started working in the UK seven years ago, she said make-up artists and hair stylists didn’t know how to work with her black skin or Afro hair.
Fortunately, the South African-born dancer has seen a huge improvement.
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She said: “I think I’ve got a thicker skin because of where I’m from.
“The last two years in TV have really changed a lot.
“For me, seeing colour off camera, behind-the-scenes, has been so positive.
“Now I can walk into a room and not worry if someone has my make-up foundation shade – that side of things seems small, but it’s a big deal.”
Oti is also pleased to see more women of colour fronting TV shows.
She said: “It’s so inspiring to see Alex Scott doing sports shows and Anita Rani having a game show.”
Oti, who is touring the UK with her I Am Here show from April to July, says she’ll meet with Strictly producers next month to decide her fate on the BBC1 show.
“She added: “Those conversations happen in February.
“It will have to be something we all talk about as a team.”
Hef fell for doc
PLAYBOY boss Hugh Hefner surrounded himself with female “Bunnies” but was actually in love with another bloke.
The claim in a new episode of US documentary Secrets Of Playboy, suggests Hefner fell for his live-in doctor Mark Saginor.
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Jennifer Saginor, who grew up in the famous Playboy mansion, said: “It’s my belief the love of Hef’s life was my father.
“They had a physical relationship in the context of these different orgies.
“The orgies started as something that was an opportunity for people to experience their open sexuality.
“And that sort of turned into something that was a little bit more sinister.
“It was more of a transaction that was exciting and that probably stemmed from their childhood.”
Saginor was later charged with drugging girls and had his medical licence suspended.
The charges were dropped after he checked into rehab.
Jennifer said: “They did start spending time together again, especially towards the end of Hef’s life.
“When Hef was passing, the one by his side was my father.”
Harry homes in
WITH a net worth of around £63million, Harry Styles is in a good position to invest in bricks and mortar.
The former One Direction singer has been looking at expanding his property empire to Cornwall after spending several days at a boutique hotel on the coast there.
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Harry was spotted enjoying a winter break at Penzance’s Artist Residence.
A source said: “Harry loves Cornwall and thinks it’s beautiful.
“He likes how rugged the landscape is and enjoys connecting with nature.
“He is keen to get a bolthole there and would love to buy a home near the water.
“He’s prepared to spend up to £10million on the right property.”
Harry, who already owns three homes in North London, was spotted going for a dip in the sea by a fan last week.
He’d be in good company, as Gordon Ramsay and Dawn French both have homes in the county.
We look forward to the house-warming . . .
Spices on guest list
VICTORIA BECKHAM will finally be involved in a Spice Girls reunion . . . after inviting her former bandmates to son Brooklyn’s wedding.
He is due to marry US actress Nicola Peltz in a lavish do in Florida on April 9.
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And we’re told Posh wants Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Horner to all be present at her eldest son’s big day.
A source said: “It was a lovely invitation and the girls are all excited to attend.
“It will be the first time they have all been together socially for some time, so they are looking forward to the chance to really catch up.
“While Nicola has opted to wear two Valentino dresses on the big day, they will have their pick of Victoria Beckham dresses if they like.”
The Sun revealed this week that Nicola had decided not to choose her future mother-in-law’s fashion label for her wedding outfits.
Let’s hope that doesn’t put Posh’s nose too far out of joint.
Kelly’s hopes with Sid
AS the daughter of the Prince of Darkness, the chances of Kelly Osbourne hooking up with a goody two-shoes were never high.
Her new man, Slipknot rocker Sid Wilson, has a lot in common with Kelly – as they have both battled drug addiction in the past.
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Sid became an addict while still in school.
In an interview in 2019, he said cocaine was his least favourite drug because “other things lasted longer and were more powerful”.
He went on to reveal he used to be an “out-of-control, lunatic rock star”.
But he now says he “hates drugs” after bandmate Paul Gray died of an overdose in 2010.
So hopefully Sid can help Kelly, who revealed she went back into rehab for drink problems in October, with any tough spells.
A source said: “Things are going well for them.
“Her dad Ozzy is also a big fan of Sid’s.
“He has said he’d love to be the tenth member of Slipknot.”
Maybe a cameo is in order.
Hilary can relate
HILARY DUFF can relate to Britney Spears’s struggles after also being thrown into the spotlight at an early age.
She landed the lead role in TV show Lizzie McGuire as a youngster.
She said this week: “I 100 per cent relate to and feel for her. It was so unfair what we all did to her.
“Halsey shaves her head and it’s celebrated.
“Britney Spears shaved her head a long time ago and it was like, ‘She’s gone mental, check her into the institution!’ ”
Sky’s madge for it
WE can see why US singer Sky Ferreira is being eyed up to play Madonna in an upcoming biopic about her life.
Sky, who posed as Madge for a V mag photoshoot in 2012, was invited to perform at her home as casting begins.
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Brit actress Florence Pugh has also been in the mix.
A source said: “Sky has an amazing voice and has covered Madge’s songs several times. She also possesses that special edge.”
We hope she gets to Take A Bow.
