Adele made a rare public appearance over the weekend as she attended Coachella with her 13-year-old son Angelo—quietly stepping into the crowd while all eyes were fixed on Justin Bieber’s much-hyped return to the stage.
The 37-year-old singer kept things effortlessly low-key, opting for a relaxed black suit paired with simple ballet flats. She completed the look with statement gold earrings as she made her way through the festival grounds to watch Bieber headline Saturday night.
Despite being one of the biggest stars in the world, Adele appeared keen to stay under the radar, sticking close to Angelo—whom she shares with ex-husband Simon Konecki. The former couple divorced in 2021 but continue to co-parent their son.
Noticeably absent from the outing was her fiancé, sports agent Rich Paul. The pair, who went public with their relationship in July 2021, were last seen together attending NBA games in Los Angeles. Adele later confirmed their engagement during a concert in Munich in August 2024 after jokingly declining a fan’s proposal, saying: “I can’t marry you because I’m already getting married… but I appreciate it. Thank you!”
While Adele’s appearance was calm and understated, the same couldn’t be said for Bieber’s highly anticipated Coachella comeback.
Fans had dubbed the night “Bieberchella” ahead of the event, eagerly awaiting the 32-year-old’s return. However, instead of a high-energy spectacle, Bieber took to the stage in a hoodie and delivered a stripped-back set that saw him relying heavily on laptop playback—at times even streaming snippets of his own songs.
The performance quickly sparked backlash online, with many fans left disappointed by the minimal production and unconventional approach. One furious attendee admitted they “cannot imagine paying thousands of dollars to watch Justin Bieber sound a mess and walk around in a hoodie,” branding the show “insulting to fans.”
Others were equally unimpressed, with some questioning whether he really headlined the festival “with just a mic and his MacBook,” while another claimed there was a “night and day difference” between his set and the polished, high-energy performance delivered by Day 1 headliner Sabrina Carpenter.
Criticism intensified further after reports suggested Bieber had been paid a staggering $10 million for the show—prompting some to label it one of the most underwhelming headline performances in Coachella history.
Elsewhere at the festival, several high-profile stars were spotted enjoying the weekend. Anya Taylor-Joy turned heads in a grey corset and leather trousers, while Melanie C kept things casual in a tracksuit as she held hands with her boyfriend Chris Dingwall. Kim Kardashian’s daughter North West also made an appearance, sporting an edgy outfit as she watched the headline set.
From Adele’s quiet family moment to Bieber’s headline controversy, the night delivered a striking contrast—one star choosing simplicity, while another faced a wave of criticism under the brightest lights.
