Adele's acceptance speeches at BRITs 2022 highlights—gorgeous dresses, tribute to son Angelo, and controversial comments

Adele swept the prize floor at last night's BRIT Awards, delivering a triple whammy of speeches as she accepted three trophies in the show's top categories—including Artist of the Year.

If there's one thing we love almost as much as the English superstar's singing, it's her talking—and there was plenty of that during her latest gig. 

Adele stepped out at the BRITs in London on Tuesday evening for the first live TV performance of her new song, I Drink Wine, just a couple of weeks after canceling her Las Vegas residency at the last minute. 

The exciting appearance marked the US-based singer's first time back at the iconic music awards event in six years—and it looks like the transatlantic journey was well worth the jet lag. 

Adele won prizes for album of the year for her fourth studio record, 30, song of the year for its lead single, Easy on Me, and artist of the year for—well—just being her. Each award gave the 33-year-old, who last spoke on camera to deliver the news that 'Weekends with Adele' had been postponed, a rare chance to candidly address her fans in real-time. 

Wearing a custom-made Armani dress and a pair of Lorraine Schwartz drop earrings, the singer gushed about her longstanding relationship with the Brits as she graced the stage to accept her first prize of song of the year. (Adele's huge diamond ring also had fans wondering if she's engaged to her boyfriend Rich Paul, but let's focus on the music for now.) 

"I can't believe that a piano ballad won up against that many bangers," she said, after adding that's was surprised by the number of songs in the category. "I always love to be here, I always love coming home and the Brits is such a big part of my career from way back when I was a little fetus." 

Adele switched up her wardrobe to retrieve her second two accolades, ditching her long gown for a black mini jacket-dress by Marianna Senchina. 

"I've never changed so fast in my life, I've put a short dress on now so I didn't trip," she admitted after being named Artist of the Year. "This is amazing. Thank you, I actually really wasn't expecting this one at all."

The Tottenham native went on to congratulate Little Simz, who won the BRIT 2022 award for Best New Act and was nominated for Album of the Year with her fourth studio record, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. She also issued some words of advice to aspiring musicians, urging them to "never lose sight of why you are you who you are." 

It was her closing line, however, that sparked backlash from some members of the transgender community. 

"I understand why the name of this award has changed but I really love being a woman and being a female artist," she proclaimed, referring to the Brits' recent decision to introduce gender-neutral categories. Despite receiving rapturous applause from the O2 arena audience, the singer was criticized online for giving off 'TERF-y' vibes with her remarks. 

"Please, no, ADELE can't be a TERF [trans-exclusionary radical feminist]. That last comment, though ambiguous, could be perceived as TERF-y. Please no," one person on Twitter wrote. The tweet has quickly gained traction, prompting many Adele fans to jump to the singer's defense. 

Adele went out on the ultimate high, bagging the esteemed award for album of the year. She dedicated the prize to her son, Angelo, and her ex-husband, Simon Konecki, revealing, "This album was all of our journey, not just mine." 

The singer went on to tearfully explain how she is "very proud of myself for sticking to my guns and putting out an album that is about something so personal to me because not many people do stuff like that anymore." She also said that her son, who is now nine years old, "has been so gracious, and kind and patient with me over the last couple of years."