Adele: “I Don't Want to Be in People's Faces”

The 24-year-old pop star told the "Today" show about the daily pitfalls and comedy of fame

Adele detailed the mundane challenges of her transformation into pop's least diva-like diva on the "Today" show Thursday in anticipation of her first-ever network special, set to air on NBC next month.

The 24-year-old Brit described some of the dissonance of her sudden fame — like getting a phone call from Elton John and not recognizing his voice as he chatted with her.

Since her pipes first catapulted her to record-breaking record sales, Adele has also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London and earlier this year, just after recovering from vocal cord surgery, at the Grammys.

That latter performance didn't quite go as planned, she said, thanks to the three or four pairs of Spanx she had on that night.

"I actually had another dress made for the Grammys, and I ended up — well, I passed out in it. It had a corset, and I thought, 'Well, I can't wear that," she admitted.

"Can you sing with four pairs of Spanx on?" Lauer asked.

"Oh, I took a couple of pairs off when I sang," she laughed.

Despite the rumors about her, including one that she was adopting an Ethiopian child, Adele said she doesn't relish being as discussed as she is.

"I don't want to be a celebrity. I don't want to be in people's faces, and I feel a little bit like I am in people's faces," she admitted.

"I don't want anyone chatting about me, really. I mean, I still hope I have a little bit of clout in 10 years. But all I've ever wanted to do is sing," she insisted.

One way she said she's avoided the daily pitfalls of fame: Defying public expectations of her, as she did when she recently walked across a tourist-clogged Trafalgar Square in her pajamas without being recognized.

"I was in color. I'm always in black," she explained.

"Nobody recognized me. A couple people looked 'round, but they were like, 'Nah, she's in color. And what would she be doing walking through a packed Trafalgar Square? In pajamas?'"

Adele's special on NBC — her first ever network special — premieres Tuesday, June 5, at 8/7c.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Contact Us