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Adele Opens Up About Her Inspirations, Looks and Stage Fright in New Rolling Stone Cover Story

'I don't make music for eyes. I make music for ears,' the British soul singer tells Touré

April 13, 2011 8:00 AM ET
Adele Opens Up About Her Inspirations, Looks and Stage Fright in New Rolling Stone Cover Story

The new issue of Rolling Stone, on stands and in the digital archives on April 15th, features an interview with Adele in which the British soul singer discusses a defining romantic relationship, her childhood and reveals that she doesn't worry much about her fluctuating weight. "My life is full of drama and I won't have time to worry about something as petty as what I look like," she tells Rolling Stone contributing editor Touré. "I don't like going to the gym. I like eating fine foods and drinking nice wine. Even if I had a really good figure, I don't think I'd get my tits and ass out for no one."

Before Adele: A Short History of British Soul Divas

But Adele has no beef with other female recording artists who choose to flaunt their bodies. "I love seeing Lady Gaga's boobs and bum," she says. "I love seeing Katy Perry's boobs and bum. Love it. But that's not what my music is about. I don't make music for eyes. I make music for ears."

Other highlights from the story:

• Many of the songs on her hit album 21 were inspired by a break-up with her boyfriend. "He was artistic, but not romantic," she says. "We'd just bicker over a cup of tea or the fact that my lighter wasn't working." Nonetheless, Adele says, "He made me an adult and put me on the road that I'm traveling on."

• Despite the fact that she's one of the most successful new recording artists of the past few years, Adele still has terrible stage fright. "I'm scared of audiences," she says. "One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of times. Once in Brussels I projectile vomited on someone. I just gotta bear it. But I don't like touring. I have anxiety attacks a lot."

• Adele says her dad was never in the picture. He recently talked to a British tabloid and said that he regretted his actions. "I never knew my dad," she says. "He has no fuckin' right to talk about me."

More Adele:

Choice Excerpts From Adele's Cover Story: The Singer on Everything From Her Stage Fright to How Her Childhood Resembled Fame

Review: Adele Toughens Up on 21

Video: Adele Discusses Inspirations for 21

Video: Adele Calls Songs on 21 "The Most Articulate I've Ever Written"

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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