When we talk about vocal mastery and a career that spans decades, few names shine as brightly as Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, whose mezzo-soprano vocals and emotionally resonant songwriting have captivated millions worldwide, earning her a staggering collection of accolades, including 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
Adele’s journey to becoming one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with sales of over 120 million records worldwide, hasn’t been without its challenges. It’s a testament to her resolve that she has consistently navigated the intense pressures of the music industry while safeguarding her most precious instrument: her voice. Her path offers invaluable lessons not just for aspiring singers, but for anyone striving for longevity and excellence in their chosen field, highlighting the powerful impact of self-awareness and intentional choices.
While the phrase ‘the drinks Adele gives up’ might conjure images of specific beverages, we’re diving deeper into the metaphorical ‘drinks’—the habits, pressures, and indulgences that, if consumed too freely, can derail even the most talented careers. These are the elements Adele has consciously poured out of her life, or learned to manage with incredible discipline, ensuring her voice remains clear, her artistry authentic, and her career trajectory enduring. Let’s explore the first three vital ‘drinks’ she’s relinquished on her path to vocal mastery and unwavering longevity.
1.One of the most significant ‘drinks’ Adele chose to give up for her well-being and vocal health was alcohol, a decision explicitly mentioned as happening in November 2008 when she moved to Notting Hill, London, stating, ‘Adele moved to Notting Hill, London after leaving her mother’s house, a move that prompted her to give up drinking.’
This pivotal decision followed a period she described in a June 2009 Nylon magazine interview as an ‘early life crisis,’ where she candidly admitted, ‘I was drinking far too much and that was kind of the basis of my relationship with this boy. I couldn’t bear to be without him, so I was like, ‘Well, I’ll just cancel my stuff then.’
For a singer, alcohol can be particularly detrimental to vocal cords, leading to dehydration and irritation that can impair vocal performance and long-term health. By giving up drinking, Adele made a proactive choice to protect her voice, recognizing the profound link between overall physical health and vocal ability. This early sacrifice laid a foundational stone for the discipline that would become characteristic of her career, enabling her to reach the incredible heights of critical and commercial success we know today, without the added strain of intoxicating habits on her delicate vocal instrument.
This commitment to sobriety showcases her dedication to her craft and future, embracing a clearer path both mentally and physically to ensure she is in optimal condition to deliver the powerful, emotive performances that define her artistry, serving as a potent reminder that self-discipline is often the first, and most crucial, step towards achieving and maintaining mastery.
2. **Giving Up the High-Pressure Shot of Over-Performance**Another critical ‘drink’ Adele learned to pour out of her career was the relentless pressure of constant, unmanaged performance. The demands of touring and live shows can be incredibly taxing on a singer’s voice, and Adele’s journey reveals a difficult but necessary learning curve in this area. In October 2011, she was “forced to cancel two tours because of a vocal-cord hemorrhage,” a serious condition that required immediate and significant intervention to save her voice.
Following this, in the first week of November 2011, she underwent “laser microsurgery on Adele’s vocal cords to remove a benign polyp” performed by Steven M. Zeitels at the Massachusetts General Hospital. This medical emergency was a stark warning about the limits of her vocal endurance and the need to prioritize health over an aggressive touring schedule. She explicitly stated she “needed an extended period of rest to avoid permanent damage to her voice,” highlighting a mature understanding of her physical limitations and the long-term implications of vocal strain.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Years later, in 2017, she again “cancelled the last two dates of the tour after damaging her vocal cords” during “The Finale” concerts at Wembley Stadium. These recurring challenges underscore the tremendous physical toll that sustained, high-level performance can take. By cancelling shows and taking necessary breaks, Adele made the difficult but crucial choice to give up the ‘drink’ of continuous, unmanaged performance, acknowledging that sometimes, less is truly more when it comes to vocal longevity.
Her willingness to prioritize vocal recovery, even if it meant disappointing fans or incurring financial losses, demonstrates a profound commitment to her craft’s sustainability, offering powerful lessons in self-preservation and the importance of listening to one’s body, especially for artists whose livelihood depends entirely on their physical instrument.
3. **Giving Up the Quick Fix of Rushed Creativity**Adele’s approach to her artistry also involved consciously giving up the ‘drink’ of rushed or hurried creative processes. In an industry often driven by rapid album cycles and constant new content, Adele has consistently demonstrated a patient and deliberate pace, understanding that true mastery cannot be rushed. On 3 April 2012, she confirmed a significant decision regarding her third album, stating, “I have to take time and live a little bit. There were a good two years between my first and second albums, so it’ll be the same this time.” This wasn’t just a casual remark; it was a philosophical statement about her creative process.
Her albums are not merely collections of songs; they are profound reflections of her life experiences, often named after her age at the time of their creation (19, 21, 25, 30). This deeply personal approach requires time for introspection, growth, and the accumulation of genuine life events to draw inspiration from. Rushing this process would inevitably dilute the authenticity and emotional depth that her fans have come to cherish. By giving up the quick fix of churning out content, she ensures that each album is a true and meaningful chapter of her journey.
This commitment to a measured pace is further highlighted by the gaps between her major releases. For example, 25 arrived in 2015, four years after 21, and 30 followed in 2021, six years later. These deliberate pauses allowed her to truly “live a little bit,” as she put it, gathering the rich tapestry of experiences that fuel her songwriting. This strategy directly contributes to her artistic longevity, preventing burnout and ensuring that each new project feels fresh, inspired, and deeply personal to both her and her audience. It’s a powerful lesson in valuing quality over quantity, a rare and admirable trait in today’s fast-paced entertainment landscape.
Moreover, by taking her time, Adele consistently delivers albums that break records and resonate globally. Each release is a major cultural event because it is meticulously crafted, steeped in genuine emotion, and given the space to breathe and develop. She has consistently affirmed her intention to continue “writing and composing her own material,” reinforcing that this unhurried approach is integral to her artistic integrity. This choice to give up the ‘quick fix’ ultimately ensures that her work not only endures but continues to grow in depth and resonance with each passing year, solidifying her legacy as a truly timeless artist.”}
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As we delve deeper into Adele’s journey, it’s evident that her vocal mastery and career longevity hinge not just on her incredible talent, but crucially, on her intentional choices. She’s meticulously curated her life and career, understanding that true brilliance thrives on boundaries and mindful navigation. Let’s explore the next three vital ‘drinks’ she’s consciously poured out, offering powerful insights into sustaining an extraordinary artistic path and personal well-being.
4. **Giving Up the Spotlight’s Relentless Glare for Personal Space**For a global superstar, the demand for constant public presence can be an intoxicating ‘drink’ many artists feel compelled to consume without moderation. Adele, however, has consistently prioritized guarding her personal space and private life. She understands that a grounded, emotionally stable private existence is the bedrock of her magnetic public persona and vocal health. Her early career already provided glimpses of this priority, shaping her distinctive path.
A pivotal moment came in 2008 when Adele “cancelled the 2008 US tour dates to be with a former boyfriend.” She candidly admitted in Nylon magazine in June 2009, “I was drinking far too much and that was kind of the basis of my relationship with this boy. I couldn’t bear to be without him, so I was like, ‘Well, I’ll just cancel my stuff then.'” This was a foundational illustration of her understanding that personal fulfillment and emotional stability were non-negotiable, challenging industry expectations early on.
This deliberate prioritization, coupled with her known “dislike of flying and bouts of homesickness when away from her native London,” paints a clear picture of an artist who understands her own needs. Instead of pushing through discomfort for constant visibility, Adele chooses judiciously where and when to engage. This ensures her public appearances are impactful and personally sustainable, not exhaustive. Her album cycles and tour schedules are notably spaced out, reflecting this mindful approach.
By carefully curating her public presence, Adele ensures that when she does emerge, her message is clear, her voice is strong, and her artistry feels refreshingly authentic, a mindful approach that safeguards her physical and mental health, allowing her essential space to ‘live a little bit’ away from celebrity demands.
5. **Giving Up the Illusion of Perfection for Authentic Vulnerability**Even for an artist with Adele’s incredible talent, performance anxiety can be a formidable ‘drink,’ tempting one to project an impenetrable facade of perfection. Yet, Adele has consistently chosen to reveal her authentic vulnerability. In doing so, she transforms what might conventionally be seen as weaknesses into powerful, deeply human moments of connection and relatability with her audience. This willingness to be raw and honest, even in high-stakes environments, is a hallmark of her enduring appeal.
Early in her global recognition, a ‘2011 Rolling Stone cover story’ highlighted Adele’s fascinating coping mechanism for onstage anxiety: ‘Adele said she dealt with onstage anxiety by creating the alter ego ‘Sasha Carter’, derived from Beyoncé’s ‘Sasha Fierce’ and June Carter,’ a strategy she found genuinely helpful by asking herself, ‘What would Sasha Fierce do?’
Perhaps one of the most striking examples of her authentic vulnerability came at the 2016 Glastonbury Festival. Despite immense success, an emotional Adele confessed she “cried before she went on stage to 150,000 people.” Jo Whiley vividly recalled, “She was really scared, really, really scared. We were doing the interview and at one point she had to stop as she was in tears.” To then witness her “walking out on stage and doing the most incredible set” after such raw emotion was a profound triumph of the human spirit. It demonstrated that true strength often lies in acknowledging fear and moving forward with courage.
Her commitment to authenticity was evident at the 2017 Grammy Awards during a tribute to George Michael when, faced with technical difficulties, Adele bravely stopped and restarted, explaining, ‘I can’t mess this up for him,’ a moment that underscored her unwavering artistic integrity and deep respect for excellence.
By bravely giving up the ‘drink’ of an unblemished, flawless facade, Adele invites her audience into her rich, relatable human experience. This profound vulnerability doesn’t diminish her star power; rather, it magnifies it, forging a powerful, unbreakable bond that transcends mere fandom. Her courage to simply be herself, anxieties and all, is a deeply inspiring reminder that authenticity is not merely admirable, but truly the cornerstone of lasting artistry and meaningful connection.
6. **Giving Up the Exhausting Sprint for a Sustainable Marathon**In an industry often defined by fleeting trends and relentless pursuit of the next hit, Adele has made a strategically brilliant choice: she has consciously given up the ‘drink’ of the exhausting sprint. Instead, she has opted, with remarkable foresight, for the sustainable, purposeful pace of a marathon runner. Her career trajectory is a shining testament to the immense power of a long-term vision, one that unapologetically prioritizes enduring quality, profound personal well-being, and genuine artistic integrity over fleeting short-term gains or overwhelming industry pressure.
Her earlier vocal cord issues, which we highlighted previously, served as stark reminders of the physical toll unchecked ambition can inflict. These challenges were transformative lessons, solidifying her resolve to manage her career in a way that protects her most precious asset: her extraordinary voice. She explicitly stated her crucial realization that she “needed an extended period of rest to avoid permanent damage to her voice.” This commitment to self-preservation taught her that sometimes, the bravest thing an artist can do is to slow down, heal completely, and recharge.
This deeply ingrained philosophy shapes her album release strategy and touring schedules, with albums arriving years apart to allow for a rich accumulation of genuine life experiences that fuel her personal songwriting, a meticulously calculated decision to actively prevent burnout and ensure each offering is a deeply felt, authentic reflection of her journey.
Perhaps the most definitive statement of this long-term vision came on “16 July 2024, when Adele revealed in an interview that she would be taking an indefinite break from music following the end of her residency, with no plans for a new album at that time.” This momentous announcement epitomizes her unwavering commitment to prioritizing personal well-being and life beyond the stage lights. It’s a powerful act of ultimate self-care, a profound promise to herself, ensuring her voice remains vibrant, authentic, and true.
Adele’s courageous choice to abandon the exhausting sprint for the intentional, sustainable pace of a marathon offers an invaluable, universal lesson: true longevity, profound impact, and sustained happiness stem from a deeply mindful approach to both work and life, proving that sometimes, the greatest strength lies in knowing precisely when to pause, to breathe deeply, and to simply live, ensuring that when you do step forward again, you do so with unparalleled power, unshakeable authenticity, and a voice that is destined to truly last for generations.
