Adele pulled me out of depression, says tribute act

AN Adele tribute act set to perform tonight in Belfast has revealed how the singer’s voice pulled her out of depression.

Ten years ago, Leeds-born Nikki Rae was told after a string of auditions for girl bands that she was too tall and too fat to be a pop star. At the same time, a then 20-year-old Adele ( right) re- leased 19 — her first multi-platinum album. For the first time, Nikki understood she didn’t have to be a conventional beauty to make it as a star.

Nikki, who uses the stage name Someone Like Adele, said: “When I started auditioning for all the girl bands that were advertising for singers in the UK, unfortunately I wasn’t particularly the right fit. I’m tall and broad and it didn’t look right.

“Then Adele came along and people started to notice similarities in my voice and my looks.

She gave me confidence.”

Nikki (27) — who moved to Spain eight years ago — developed an obsessive compulsive disorder that she said forced her to eat a specific number of items, depending on what number popped into her head.

If she didn’t, Nikki would become cons umed wi t h fear that something tragic would happen to a close family member. By the age of 15, she weighed 22 stone. But after getting help and medication, she said she now snacks on healthy food.

Adele’s fame gave Nikki the confidence to get on stage as a solo act. But because the star had pulled her out of depression, Nikki took her adoration for the singer to another level. She now tours the globe as one of the world’s most noted Adele tribute acts.

Nikki, who will perform at the Cabaret Supper Club in Upper Arthur Street, added: “It’s all about the music with Adele.”

Tribute: Nikki Rea as Adele