Adele was emotional Sunday night when she accepted the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
The British singer wasn’t so sure 25 deserved the night’s top honour, though.
"I can't possibly accept this award,” Adele declared. “And I'm very humbled, and I'm very grateful, and gracious.
“But, my artist of my life is Beyoncé, and this album for me, the Lemonade album, was just so monumental. And so well-thought-out, and so beautiful and soul-baring. And we all got to see another side to you that you don't always let us see, and we appreciate that.”
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Looking directly at Beyoncé, Adele added: “All us artists here adore you. You are our light. And the way that you make me and my friends feel; the way you make my black friends feel is empowering. And you make them stand up for themselves. And I love you. I always have, and I always will.”
The “Hello” singer then snapped the Grammy trophy in two pieces to share it with Beyoncé.
Later, in the press room, Adele continued to praise Queen Bey.
"The reason I felt the need to say something is because my album of the year is Lemonade,” she said. “She is my icon of my whole life."
Adele said she told Beyoncé earlier in the evening how honoured she felt to be nominated with her. "She was very gracious and humble, as always, as we've come to expect.”
Adele admitted she believed this was Beyoncé’s time to win the top Grammy.
“What the f**k does she have to do to win album of the year?” the singer asked.
Album of the Year and three other top awards are the only categories of 84 that are voted on by the entire membership of the Recording Academy.
While commercial success is not supposed to be a factor, Grammy voters may not have been able to overlook that 25 is one of the best-selling albums ever, with sales of more than 20 million copies. Lemonade, while critically acclaimed, sold only a fraction of that.
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On social media, some fans have suggested the snub is due to racism.
Only 12 black artists have claimed the Album of the Year honour since 1974, including three women: Lauryn Hill, Natalie Cole, and Whitney Houston.
Beyoncé has won 22 Grammy Awards during her career. Three of her albums have been nominated for the top award (she lost to Taylor Swift in 2010 and to Beck in 2015).
Adele has collected 15 Grammys and previously won Album of the Year in 2012.
Beyoncé didn't win the top prize on Sunday but she's got a famous fan.
“I don't take any f**king s**t when it comes to anyone not liking Beyoncé," said Adele. "You can't be in my life. You simply can’t."