Just before the release of Adele's latest album 30, one of the most anticipated albums of the year, CBS aired Adele One Night Only. The UK special included an interview with Oprah Winfrey and a concert with famous actors, celebrities and musicians in the audience.
The UK had their own version called An Audience With Adele that aired on ITV on Sunday.
During the concert, actor Emma Thompson stood and asked Adele a question from the audience.
Thompson said:
"When you were younger, was there someone who kind of supported you and inspired you, or sort of protected you from all the trials and tribulations in life and inspired you to go on?"
Adele responded:
"Yeah, I had a teacher at Chestnut Grove who taught me English."
"That was Miss McDonald."
Thompson asked if they kept in touch after that, and Adele said:
"No, she left when I was in year eight."
"It was just one year, but she got me really into literature."
"Like, I've always been obsessed with English and obviously now I write lyrics."
"But she also did street dance."
"I was too scared to join."
She continued:
"Yeah, she was just so bloody cool. So engaging."
"She really made us care and we knew that she cared about us."
Thompson played it cool as Adele spoke and when she finished said:
"Yeah, 'cause it's odd actually, funny enough..."
The crowed cheered as music began playing.
The camera panned to the audience to reveal Miss McDonald coming down the aisle and onto the stage.
You can watch the moment here:
We all have that one teacher who changed our life… such a beautiful reunion! ❤️
*PS, would totally buy Alan Carr's version of 'Make You Feel My Love* 🤣@Adele #AnAudienceWithAdele https://t.co/2ZZI2RS0mI pic.twitter.com/hlTOOZKt5j
— ITV (@ITV) November 21, 2021
The two embraced as Adele cried.
"You look exactly the same!"
Adele asked McDonald if she was still teaching and she said she's not. She is raising her family but she still dances.
As they embraced again McDonald said:
"Thank you for remembering me."
Adele said as she tried not to cry:
"No you really, you really did change my life."
The tearful moment was followed up with Alan Carr singing a hilarious rendition of Make You Feel My Love with the audience joining in as Adele touched up her makeup.
The video went viral on Twitter after ITV posted the clip.
Always here for someone tearfully reuniting with a teacher who changed their life 😭 -LMM https://t.co/CFbzw0FQKB
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 22, 2021
The cameraman pic.twitter.com/Zr2lI92RlW
— ✦sᴀᴍᴜᴇʟ30✦ (@Samu_monges17) November 21, 2021
Yo that video of Ian Wright seeing his teacher after nuff years & the Adele one just now. Incredible vibes. You see the impact you can have on someone's life without you even knowing.
— Manga Saint Hilare (@MangaStHilare) November 21, 2021
Wholesome pic.twitter.com/n36O3fl9rN
— PJ (@Dramasapphic) November 21, 2021
Proof positive that teachers have superpowers. @Adele @ITV https://t.co/bLIJ0pkXeL
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 22, 2021
That's the truth! I'm a social studies/history teacher at the high school level. I also teach an after school program because teachers don't do it for the money (although we should be paid more), they do it to teach, inspire, motivate & help make a well rounded person in the end
— Lisa MacMurray (@MacmurrayLisa) November 22, 2021
English teachers always light a spark in children. It's so amazing. I can't believe how common it is. https://t.co/pi1D25rCBV
— Basetsana (@BassieLastrassi) November 22, 2021
My music teacher from High School was responsible for my semi-career in music. We're Facebook friends, and I love her to death!
— DrWood (@DrWoodfunk) November 21, 2021
I've always liked Adele, now I don't think I could love her more. What an impact that teacher must have had on her, Adele's reaction to seeing her again just proved how sincere her feelings for her are, and not just a throwaway comment for the show. #Adele30 #AudienceWithAdele
— craig avis (@archie_bragge) November 21, 2021
I will wholeheartedly admit, when I was still in school, English was never my strongest class.
I struggled for 5 years (I'm Australian, so schooling's obviously different).
Year 12, my final year, I got my best English Teacher.
He and I still keep in touch and I'm so happy (1/2)
— Choiced_Gaming (@ChoicedScarfer) November 22, 2021
Teachers are very impactful. Ms. Ciotti, Mme. Harris in elementary made a huge difference. I still keep in touch with Ms. Ciotti, my grade 4 teacher. Last week she emailed me for my birthday and told me that my card is in the 📬. I'm also a teacher too. Love what I do.❤️🙏🏾
— nick dillon (@nkdillon3) November 22, 2021
This just made me cry bc omg I have an English teacher that till this day I wish I can see again … 🥺♥️ she's the reason why I write as well and her class was something I always looked forward too and brought out a creative side of me I didn't know I had & got me thru tons
— Alyssa Marie💫🦋 (@xoxo_aly_baby) November 22, 2021
Teachers deserve so much more than we give them.
@LeeMerrittesq/X
@bob_moss/X
@jelanijones/Bluesky
@Aurkayne/X
@sadcommunistdog; @froglok/Bluesky