Adele breaks down in tears as she pays emotional tribute to Orlando shooting victims

The singer described members of the LGBTQ community as her "soulmates"
Paying tribute: Adele dedicated her entire set to the victims
Sascha Steinbach/Getty
Emma Powell13 June 2016
The Weekender

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Adele broke down in tears as she dedicated her latest concert to the victims of the Orlando shooting.

The 27-year-old singer took to the stage in Antwerp, Belgium hours after lone gunman Omar Mateen, 29, opened fire on revellers at Florida’s LGBT Pulse nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Adele struggled to fight back the tears as she paid an emotional tribute, in which she described members of the LGBTQ community as her “soulmates”.

Speaking to the crowd she said: “I would like to start tonight by dedicating this entire show to everybody in Orlando and at Pulse nightclub last night.

“The LGBTQ community, they’re like my soulmates since I was really young so I’m very moved by it.”

Wiping tears from her eyes she continued: “I don’t know why I’m crying already because most of this tonight is pretty miserable because my songs are f****** miserable. I do have two songs that sound happy, but they’re not.”

Her speech comes months after she dedicated her track Make You Feel My Love to the victims of the Brussels terror attacks during her gig at London's O2 Arena.

Adele was one of many celebrities who spoke out following Sunday's massacre, including James Corden who told guests at the Tony Awards that “hate will never win”.

Speaking on stage at New York’s Beacon Theatre he said: “All around the world people are trying to come to terms with the horrific event that took place in Orlando this morning.

“On behalf of the whole theatre community and every person in this room our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. All we can say is you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy.

“Theatre is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved.”

He finished: “Hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that. Tonight's show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principal.”

Adele - In pictures

Adele performed to a sold-out crowd
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