The Real Reason Adele Has Been Calling Rich Paul Her ‘Husband’

Adele has regularly been calling Rich Paul her “husband” during her Las Vegas residency, sparking rumors that the couple may have secretly tied the knot. But they haven’t, a source told Us Weekly. It’s just a term of endearment. In fact, Paul started calling Adele his “wife” two months into dating, the source said.

“They aren’t married but they do call each other husband and wife and have been for a while now,” the source continued. “Adele loved the security [of it] and how much he adores her.”

Adele and Rich Paul at the Grammys

Adele and Paul have been dating since 2021. They sparked engagement rumors in February 2022 when Adele wore a big diamond ring on her left ring finger at the BRIT Awards. When asked about the rumors while wearing the ring again during her Graham Norton Show appearance, Adele said, “If I was [engaged], would I ever tell anyone if I was or wasn’t?”

ELLE asked Adele about the engagement rumors months later in August 2022. At first, she dodged the question, saying: “Well! Well. Well, I’m not married. I’m not married.” Then she added, “I’m just in loooove! I’m happy as I’ll ever be. I might as well be married.”

She later clarified in another conversation for the piece that “I’m not engaged. I just love high-end jewelry, boy!”

Adele most recently sparked secret marriage headlines when she rejected a fan’s proposal to her during her Vegas residency. “You can’t marry me, I’m straight, my love. And my husband’s here tonight. He’s here,” she said.

Senior News and Strategy Editor

Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.