They went Instagram official with their romance nearly one month ago.
And while there’s plenty of mystery still surrounding Adele‘s relationship with new beau Rich Paul, fans are learning about a tragedy the sports mega-agent suffered through with the death of his childhood best friend.
According to a report in The Sun, Paul endured trauma, following the senseless killing of pal Kenneth Johnson, nicknamed Squirrel, that has been a driving force in Paul’s career over the last two decades.
Traumatic: Adele’s new boyfriend Rich Paul endured trauma when his childhood best friend was killed during what’s been described as ‘a senseless shooting’ when he was 21
In a classic case of turning a poison into a positive, basketball superstar and client LeBron James has stated that he thinks Paul’s challenges early on in his life helped fuel his desire to become a millionaire mogul in the sports world.
The loss of Johnson at aged 21, whom he describes as ‘an unbelievable kid, killed for no reason’ still haunts Paul.
Making the impact of the tragedy even worse, Johnson’s girlfriend, Starr Hudson, was also murdered during the same incident. She was shot point-blank range when she jumped n top of him to cover his body while the shooter was firing the deadly shots.
‘His girlfriend loved him so much, you know what she did?’ said Paul during an interview, adding, ‘When the guy was standing over him, shooting him like this, she got on top of him. Guy killed them both. They buried them together. That’s the type of s*** I’ve been through.’
Romance: The couple confirmed their romance when they sat court side at game five of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona on July 17
Comfort in friends: The pair have mutual friends in common, which has helped in the progess of the relationship
Both Johnson and Hudson were shot two times as they were parked at a convenience store in July 2001.
Eventually, Maurice Freeman was arrested and found guilty of two counts of murder.
A judge spared him a death sentence by lethal injection, and wound up sentencing him to a life sentence lasting a minimum of 50 years, which he’s ben serving out at Ohio’s North Central Correctional Institution.
Not much is known about Adele’s relationship with Paul, but it’s possible the two have been an item since as early as May 2021.
The couple, who have been ‘inseparable’ since the summer, have reportedly taken a huge step in the relationship by meeting ‘each other’s children.’
The pop superstar, 33, is said to have already introduced her new man to her eight-year-old son, Angelo, whom she shares with ex-husband Simon Konecki, while the Skyfall hitmaker has also been spending time with Paul’s three children.
And in a couple of more signs the romance has gone to the next level, they both sleep over at each other’s places in Los Angeles, and they’re at ease socializing with the other’s friends.
‘She feels really comfortable around him and is in a good headspace right now,’ a source told E! News.
‘Adele is very much in love with Rich and their relationship has become more serious in the last few months.
When going Instagram official in September, the British singer took to the social media platform and shared a loved-up snap of herself and the sports agent posing together in a photo booth at the wedding of LA Lakers star, Anthony Davis.
Important step: Not only is Adele, 33, ‘very much in love’ with her new sports agent beau Rich Paul, 39, but the duo have ‘met each other’s children’ and are ‘inseparable’
The new couple were seen out in the public together for the first time in July when they sat court side at game five of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona.
A friend of the couple stated that their romance is ‘casual’ and they aren’t ‘super-serious’ yet.
‘It’s not super serious, but they’re having a good time, the insider told People, adding ‘They have mutual friends in common, so that’s been nice. She’s having fun and being social.’
Along with James and Davis, his clientele also includes the likes of Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, and Houston Rockets guard John Wall, among many others.
Paul has his own agency—Klutch Sports Group, which he started in 2012
His worth has been estimated to be around $46 million, due to his contract negotiations resulting in more than $1 billion in active deals for his high-profile clients during his career.
In 2020, he made Forbes’ list of the world’s top 10 most powerful sports agents, hitting No. 9 on the list.
Historic: This weekend the pop superstar’s 2011 album 21 became the biggest selling UK album by a female of all time with more than 5 million sales worldwide
Rich looked smart in a black velvet blazer which he paired with a crisp white shirt as he enjoyed an evening out with his girlfriend.
The couple confirmed their romance last month after being spotted on a dinner date, after going public in July when they sat court side at game five of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona.
In July, a friend of the couple stated that their romance is ‘casual’ and they aren’t ‘super-serious’ yet. The insider told People: ‘It’s not super serious, but they’re having a good time.
‘They have mutual friends in common, so that’s been nice. She’s having fun and being social.
‘[Adele] has relaxed a lot. She’s not quite as private as when she was married. ‘She is living her life and doing great. She is having a great summer with [her son] Angelo. They are spending most of their time in LA.’
Rich is a sports agent to several high-profile basketball stars including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons and John Wall.
He is worth an estimated $46 million and has negotiated more than $1 billion in active deals for his high-profile clients during his career.
In 2020, he made Forbes’ list of the world’s top 10 most powerful sports agents, hitting No. 9 on the list.
He was classed No. 2 globally in basketball. He was also featured on the 2020 Ebony Power 100 List.
He is the founder of Klutch Sports, part of United Talent Agency (UTA), which leapt up 23 places on the list of the world’s most valuable sports agencies within a five year period, following Paul’s involvement. Paul now leads UTA’s sports division.
Most recently Adele released her new single Easy On Me on Friday, October 15, ahead of her upcoming studio album 30, which is slated for release on November 19.
This weekend her 2011 album 21 became the biggest selling UK album by a female of all time with more than 5 million sales worldwide.
Exes: Adele shares eight-year-old son Angelo with her ex Simon Konecki (pictured in 2013)
