Adele Flips Off Brit Awards, Apologizes
After earning two of the night's highest honors and flipping off the camera at the Brit Awards, singer Adele has apologized for the gesture.
"I'm sorry if I offended anyone but it was the suits that offended me," explained the heralded singer. "Thank you all very much and thanks to my fans. I don't want them to think I was swearing at them."
Adele emphasized that her obscene gesture was aimed at the industry leaders and the awards show's host, James Corden, who interrupted her acceptance speech for Best Female Solo British Album.
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Taking the stage to claim her second Brit Award of the night, the 23-year-old's speech was cut short.
"I'm so, so proud to be British and to be flying our flag," she was saying when Corden cut her off.
"Are you about to cut me off?" said Adele to Corden. "Can I just say then, goodbye and I'll see you next time around," before flipping off the camera.
In her frustrated gesture, the singer had the tabloid press up in arms Wednesday and television executives hurried to cover the middle finger.
The awards ceremony took place at the packed O2 Arena in Adele's native London, England. The show's broadcaster, ITV, issued a statement apologizing to Adele for cutting her off.
"We regret this happened and we send deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short tonight due to the live show over-running," said ITV.
Despite undergoing throat surgery in November, the night included Adele singing her hit song "Rolling in the Deep" as thousands of fans cheered.
"It's been an amazing year," said the singer as she received Album of the Year.
Wearing a sleek black Burberry gown, Adele thanked her recording company "for letting me be the kind of artist I want to be."
Adele fell short of the Best British Single Award which went to the boy band One Directions with their single "What Makes You Beautiful."
The ceremony also included tributes to late singers Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse.
