Adele’s rumoured love interest Rich Paul dropped hint about friendship in interview months before basketball outing

Adele and Rich Paul were pictured together for the first time at the NBA Finals (Picture: Getty Images)

The signs of Adele and Rich Paul’s new friendship were there just weeks before they were pictured together for the first time. 

Adele, 33, rocked up to the NBA Finals game in Arizona on Saturday evening looking fabulous as usual, and happened to end up next to Rich, who is LeBron James’ agent, in the courtside seats. 

It’s the first time the pair had been pictured together and they seemed friendly throughout the game, frequently seen chatting to each other, somehow sparking rumours that they’re romantically involved.

Sleuth fans have dug out a recent interview in which Rich, 39, revealed he was spending time with a well-known singer. 

Speaking to The New Yorker, Rich said: ‘She was over yesterday.’ 

Reporter Isaac Chotiner then asked him to clarify who he meant, to which the agent ‘dropped the name of a major pop star’. 

‘Doing what?’ Isaac asked, to which Rich coyly replied: ‘Hanging out.’ 

The pair were very friendly during the game (Picture: Getty Images)

When Issac pressed him on why they were hanging out, Rich wondered: ‘Why not?’ 

He then stated: ‘I’m not dating, I’m single. Put that in the story.’ 

The Someone Like You singer’s love life has been subject to rumours since her marriage split (Picture: Getty Images)

Adele’s dating life has been the subject of speculation since she split from husband Simon Konecki in 2019. The pair were married for six years and are co-parenting their eight-year-old son Angelo. 

The Hello hitmaker was most recently linked to British rapper Skepta with reports they’ve been spotted enjoying several dates over the past couple of years. 

Last September, they were reportedly seen enjoying virtual games at reality centre OTHERWORLD in London, with eyewitnesses claiming they were ‘shouting and screaming’ while tackling the challenges. 

Adele has been linked to Skepta several times in the past (Picture: Getty)

A source told Metro.co.uk at the time: ‘Adele looked great and they seemed happy being out together in the public view. 

‘They were in the middle of the bar having their drinks while they were getting ready for the VR experience. I think they must have played the zombie game because they were shouting and screaming.’ 

In September 2019, another source told The Sun that the music stars had ‘been there for each other a lot’ after both of their relationships ended. 

‘They have a close bond and there’s definitely a special connection.They’re spending more and more time together,’ they said. 

More: Adele

Earlier this month, Adele and Skepta were allegedly seen on another date at a discount mall near San Bernardino in California. 

However, Adele shut down the dating rumours during her appearance on Saturday Night Live when she described herself as a ‘single cat lady’.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Adele’s reps for comment.

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