Adele calls LGBT fans 'soulmates' as she breaks down onstage

Adele reportedly broke down in tears on stage on Sunday night (12Jun16) after singing a tribute to the victims of the Orlando shootings.

The Hello singer was performing in Belgium less than 24 hours after 49 people were killed at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida by American-born shooter Omar Mateen, 29, in the worst U.S. terror attack since 9/11. Mateen also wounded 53 other partygoers in the mass shooting.

After opening the show with hit songs Hello and Hometown Glory, the 28 year-old singer paid tribute to the victims by saying: "I'd like to start tonight by dedicating this entire show to everybody in Orlando, and at Pulse nightclub last night," reports The Huffington Post.

Explaining why she felt so affected by the atrocity, Adele added: "The LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) community... they're like my soulmates, since I was really young, so I'm really moved by it."

The emotional singer then reportedly broke down in tears on stage, sparking a wave of supportive applause from her fans in Antwerp.

British rock group Queen and American frontman Adam Lambert also paid tribute to the victims during an emotional Isle of Wight Festival headline show on Sunday (12Jun16). Original band members Brian May and Roger Taylor were accompanied by the American Idol star for the two-hour set, and the band dedicated Who Wants To Live Forever to the victims of the Orlando shooting.

And at the 2016 Tony Awards on Sunday night, host James Corden opened the show with a powerful message for the people of Florida.

"Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity," he said. "All we can say is you're not on your own right now. You're tragedy is our tragedy."

"Hate will never win. Together we have to make sure of that. Tonight's show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principle" Corden added.