Editor’s note: This post has been updated with George Michael’s correct age at his death.
A few minutes into a rendition of George Michael’s Fastlove, Adele stopped her performance, uttered an expletive on live television and asked to start over.
“I know it’s live TV, I’m sorry,” she said to the crowd before a series of beeps silenced more swearing. “I can’t do it again like last year. I’m sorry for swearing and sorry for starting again, can we please start it again? I’m sorry, I can’t mess this up for him. I’m sorry.”
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Dressed in a dramatic and sweeping black gown, sporting her signature winged eye makeup, Adele mouthed another expletive before the music could start again.
The remainder of the performance was as heartfelt and emotional as could be expected, with the soulful songstress singing before a slideshow of images depicting Michael throughout his career.
Adele was referencing a similar incident at last year’s Grammys where she experienced audio issues while performing All I Ask.
Michael, the seminal singer whose hits included Faith and Freedom! ’90, passed away on Dec. 25, 2016, at the age of 53.
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