TV host issues grovelling apology for ‘insulting’ Adele in botched interview: ‘Terrible mistake’
An Australian journalist has apologised on air after his exclusive interview with Adele was cancelled because he didn’t listen to her new album. (YouTube/ITV)
An Australian reporter whose exclusive interview with Adele was canned after he admitted to not listening to her new album 30 has apologised for his “terrible mistake”.
Channel 7 News’ Matt Doran made headlines after he flew to London to interview Adele as part of a A$1m (£533,900) deal, which included streaming rights to her One Night Only TV special. It would have been Adele’s only Australian interview, the Guardian reported.
However, he admitted during the interview with the 33-year-old singer that he failed to listen to 30, her fourth-studio album which was released on 19 November, ahead of time. As a result, Sony is reportedly refusing to release the interview footage.
During the channel’s Weekend Surprise programme on Saturday (27 November), Doran said he’s received a “torrent of abuse and mockery” for not listening to 30 before interviewing Adele. He admitted that he deserved the “bulk of this savaging” and “totally” owned his mistake.
"I am so sorry"@MattDoran22 apologises to @Adele and her Australian fans over his recent interview with the music superstar. pic.twitter.com/0DeJtUe3gW
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) November 26, 2021
Doran said he made the “terrible mistake” of assuming he wouldn’t be able to listen to the album ahead of time before admitting he missed an email containing a preview of the wonderful collection of music.
“I made the terrible mistake of assuming we weren’t to be given a preview copy of this album because our interview was airing before it was released, and Adele’s album was the industry’s most prized secret,” Doran said.
He continued: “The day after we landed in London an email came through from Sony, it didn’t mention Adele but it did contain a link to her album.
“The genuine, deadset, hand on heart truth is that I missed it. By an absurdly long margin the most important email I’ve ever missed in my life.”
He then went on to give more details about the unaired interview and refuted claims that Adele had walked out on the interview after Doran admitted to not listening to 30.
Instead, Doran explained the interview ran “overtime” and “at least half of the interview focused squarely on the new music”.
“We spoke about the paradox that is being the world’s most famous artist but hating fame,” Doran said. “We also discussed at length the concept of pure artistry, the majesty of Adele’s voice, what it must be like to hear that sound come out of one’s own mouth.”
He described the singer as “profound”, “funny” and “raw” during the 29 minutes he got to talk to her. Doran said she even opened up about her depression, which she described as “end of the world stuff”.
“But that all doesn’t matter, because by missing the album link – however I might try to justify it – I’ve insulted Adele,” Doran declared. “To Adele, I say I’d never have knowingly disrespected you by deliberately not listening to your work.”
Doran also offered an apology to Adele’s Australian fans and to viewers who are now being “denied this interview and the insight into her character” because of “my error”.
