Rich Paul gives rare glimpse into five-year relationship with Adele: 'It happened very organically'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Entrepreneur and sports agent Rich Paul shared new details about how his romance with fiance Adele first developed, offering a rare glimpse into the evolution of their relationship during an appearance on Craig Melvin’s 'Glass Half Full' podcast.

He also reflected on meeting the Grammy-winning singer, the friendship that eventually evolved into a romance, and the bond they built over the years. While the couple first sparked dating rumors in 2021 and confirmed their engagement in August 2024, they have remained largely private about the details of their relationship.

Rich Paul recalls meeting Adele and their early friendship

Speaking about how they first met, he revealed that Adele was introduced to him through a mutual friend and that they knew each other for a considerable period before becoming romantically involved. “I had known her for some time,” Paul said, explaining that they frequently crossed paths within the same social circles.

He noted that he never approached women in those environments with romantic intentions because they often deal with that type of attention regularly. Reflecting on their early interactions, he further recalled, “We just used to always see each other, laugh and joke. It was just cordial, really, just cordial.”

According to Paul, their relationship evolved naturally over time rather than beginning with any deliberate pursuit. “It happened very organically,” he said of their eventual romance.

He also admitted that while he was familiar with Adele’s biggest songs before they started dating, he had not explored much of her music catalog. “Obviously, you can’t help but to hear the monster hits,” Paul said, adding that he later became acquainted with more of her work as their relationship progressed.

“But obviously, you know, I’m pretty on the pulse of a lot of different things, and so, you know, some of the songs, the big songs, but I didn’t know all of the joints that I know now,” he further explained.

Rich Paul discusses their romance as Adele shares her feelings

Looking back on how their friendship transformed into something more, Paul joked, “It was cordial until it became not so cordial.” He added that he eventually “became a person of interest” to the singer. The sports agent also made a playful claim about life at home, saying he is “the best singer in the house,” despite being engaged to one of the world’s most successful recording artists.

The couple first attracted public attention when they attended an NBA game together in 2021. Their relationship continued to make headlines in the years that followed before Adele confirmed their engagement in August 2024.

Paul’s comments align with remarks Adele made during a 2021 interview with television host Oprah Winfrey, when she spoke candidly about her partner. “He’s just hilarious,” she said at the time, adding, “Oh, he’s so funny, he’s funny, yeah. And very smart. You know, he’s very, very smart. It’s quite incredible watching him do what he does.”

The singer also described the relationship as “very smooth” and reflected on the personal growth she experienced while being with him. She said, “It’s just timing, but it would be interesting to see what my reaction would be generally to anything that hurts me now that I feel so secure in myself, and I’m talking outside of romance as well.”

She further shared, “It’s the first time that I’ve loved myself and been open to loving and being loved by someone else.”