Adele reveals why she 'was very annoyed' in viral basketball game meme

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Go easy on her: There's a good explanation for why Adele was "looking everywhere but in the camera" in that viral basketball meme.

During a recent Las Vegas performance, the "Hello" singer provided context for a viral clip that showed her looking around and appearing disinterested while sitting courtside at a basketball game.

In a video shared on social media, Adele told fans that camera operators came up to her while she was at the game and asked "twice" if they could film her to put her on the screen, to which she allegedly responded, "Please don't." According to Adele, though, "they came back and they filmed me" anyway.

Adele sits with sports agent Rich Paul during an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors on May 6, 2023.
Adele sits with sports agent Rich Paul during an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors on May 6, 2023.

"The reason I looked like a different person was because I was sulking because I was like 'These (expletive) have come back and are filming me against my will!" she said. "And I didn't realize they were airing it on TV. I thought it was just in the room."

Adele added that she was in, fact, "ignoring and looking everywhere but in the camera," but only because she "was very annoyed because I asked not to be filmed." She also said this is why her "lips look like I had filler" in the video. "I've got naturally big lips," she added. "I don't need filler."

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The moment occurred at an NBA All-Star Game in February 2022, and the clip spawned a reaction image that has since been used to jokingly indicate the user is trying to ignore something.

"Also my face is just very memeable," Adele added. "I can't help it."

At the time this occurred, Adele had recently sparked backlash after postponing her Las Vegas residency shows at the last minute due to COVID-19 production delays in January 2022, which she cited as one reason she didn't want to be filmed.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I really don't like being famous," Adele shared with fans, even though she acknowledged some might say she was "asking for it" by "sitting courtside at a basketball game."

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During the game, Adele also recalled that her partner, Rich Paul, was "working the room" and "talking to players," while she was "there on my own looking for Michael Jordan, to be honest with you."

Adele is scheduled to conclude her Las Vegas residency in June, after which she's heading to Munich for a series of shows in the summer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adele explains why she was 'sulking' in viral courtside meme