Adele is set to make her acting debut in Tom Ford’s upcoming film Cry to Heaven. The project marks a major career change for the Grammy-winning singer, who will appear alongside Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Colin Firth and Paul Bettany.
The cast also includes Owen Cooper, the breakout star of Netflix’s Adolescence. However, details about Adele’s character have not yet been announced.
Novel adaptation
Cry to Heaven adapts Anne Rice’s 1982 novel of the same name. The story takes place in 18th-century Italy and follows two castrati from different backgrounds who become successful opera singers.
The film could give Adele an opportunity to combine her musical talent with a new acting challenge. The singer has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and has won 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe.
Adele has largely stayed away from the spotlight since completing her hugely successful Las Vegas residency in November 2024.
She performed 100 sold-out shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during the residency. Her move into acting therefore represents a new chapter after years of focusing on her music career.
New era for Ford
Tom Ford is also entering a new stage of his career with Cry to Heaven. The acclaimed designer has expanded his work in fashion into filmmaking, directing A Single Man in 2009 and Nocturnal Animals in 2016.
Ford will direct, write and produce Cry to Heaven. His previous films earned strong critical attention and established him as a filmmaker with a distinctive visual style.
A Single Man starred Colin Firth and Nicholas Hoult, who will both return for Ford’s latest project. Nocturnal Animals also earned Ford two BAFTA nominations.
Ford sold his fashion company to Estée Lauder for $2.8 billion in 2022. At the time, he said he planned to step away from fashion and focus on filmmaking.
The addition of Adele adds another major name to Cry to Heaven. Her acting debut will be closely watched by fans as she takes on a new creative challenge.
With an acclaimed director, a high-profile cast and an adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel, the film is already attracting considerable attention. More details about Adele’s role are expected as production progresses.
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