How Adele’s Middle Finger Played Out in Social Media

adele_middle_finger_brit_awards.jpeg

On Tuesday, the Brit Awards celebrated the best in British music. Twenty-three year-old British singer Adele, already a winner of six Grammys, was honored with a Brit Award. However, she was cut off partway through her acceptance speech which left her fuming. She gave the middle finger before storming off camera. Controversies erupted over the Brit Awards’ decision to cut her off (many felt it was so they could run more commercials) and her response. In Future of Engagement, Murray Newlands analyzes how people reacted on social media and discusses what businesses can learn from it.

YouTube video

Highlights

  • Reactions spanned across many types of social media
  • Heavy emotional responses from Adele’s supporters
  • Sincere, real public apologies (not “I’m sorry if you were offended by misunderstanding what I said” apologies) succeed in regaining trust

Graph by Alerti social media monitoring and management

Picture of Steve Hall

Steve Hall

RECENT ARTICLES

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

I’ve started saying no to lunch invitations because I can’t keep pretending the prices don’t make my stomach turn

I’ve started saying no to lunch invitations because I can’t keep pretending the prices don’t make my stomach turn

Global English Editing

There’s actually a word for people who are warm and likable but have zero close friends—and it explains more than you’d expect

There’s actually a word for people who are warm and likable but have zero close friends—and it explains more than you’d expect

Global English Editing

The cruelest thing about aging past 70 is not what your body does — it’s what your phone stops doing

The cruelest thing about aging past 70 is not what your body does — it’s what your phone stops doing

Global English Editing

Psychology says people who need silence to think clearly have these 7 unique traits that multitaskers find hard to develop

Psychology says people who need silence to think clearly have these 7 unique traits that multitaskers find hard to develop

Global English Editing

I gave up arguing with my adult son six months ago and the silence between us now feels more honest

I gave up arguing with my adult son six months ago and the silence between us now feels more honest

Global English Editing

Psychology says the reason so many people never find inner peace isn't because they haven't tried hard enough — it's because they're still trying to earn something that only comes from surrender

Psychology says the reason so many people never find inner peace isn't because they haven't tried hard enough — it's because they're still trying to earn something that only comes from surrender

Global English Editing