Adele: The Pop Star Repurposed by the Criminal Underworld

Adele: The Pop Star Repurposed by the Criminal Underworld

From DISGRACELAND by Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

June 2, 2026 · 42 min · Season 27 · Episode 276

About this episode

This episode explores how Adele's fame was exploited by the criminal underworld following the release of her album 21.

With the release of her smash sophomore album 21, Adele became one of the most beloved pop stars of the 21st century. Her songs were the most played at karaoke bars, weddings, and funerals – not to mention a criminal element in America which sought to use Adele’s newfound fame for their nefarious purposes. To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to exclusive bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for our newsletter and get the inside dirt on events, merch and other awesomeness - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET THE NEWSLETTER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jake and DISGRACELAND: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (formerly Twitter)  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Fan Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics covered

  • Adele
  • pop music
  • criminal underworld
  • fame
  • true crime
  • cultural impact

Keywords

  • Adele
  • pop star
  • criminal underworld
  • album 21
  • true crime
  • music culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DISGRACELAND, Exactly Right, iHeartPodcasts

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