Adele defended by Holly Willoughby and Naomi Campbell after being attacked for 'cultural appropriation' picture

SUPERSTAR Adele faced a barrage of abuse yesterday as a photo to celebrate Notting Hill Carnival saw her accused of “leeching off other people’s cultures”.

But stars came out in force to back her for wearing a bikini showing the Jamaican flag and tying up her hair in African Bantu knots.

The Tottenham-born singer, 32, shared the snap with fans after the annual West London carnival was cancelled because of Covid restrictions. She wrote: “Happy what would be Notting Hill ­Carnival my beloved London.”

She was immediately accused on social media of “cultural appropriation”.

One user ranted about the knots — in which hair is divided in square or triangular sections and tightly fastened — writing: “This hair is totally unnecessary.

“Bantu knots are not for you. ­Period.”

Another added: “Unfollowing tonight. Please note that I’m from London.

"While it may appear cute to some to show this type of appreciation, it’s not.

“Many Black and Latina ladies have been denied/fired from jobs and young children sent home from school with hairstyles like this. This has happened in the UK, the US and other countries.”

Ernest Owens commented: “If 2020 couldn’t get anymore bizarre, Adele gives us Bantu knots and cultural appropriation that nobody asked for.

“This officially marks all of the top white women in pop as problematic. Hate to see it.”

But Adele was supported by stars including This Morning's Holly Willoughby, supermodel Naomi Campbell and Hollywood actress Zoe Saldana.

During a debate on This Morning about Adele's snap, Holly said: "Surely you've got to look at the intention of people who are doing it and her intention whilst posting that picture was just to celebrate something that she's been part of for a very long time, which is the Notting Hill Carnival that she's been to many, many times. Isn't it about intent?"

Jamaican music star Popcaan replied to Adele’s picture with supportive fist and heart emojis.

Singer Alexandra Burke said: “I see the pic. She looks hot. She’s obviously been working on her body, that for me is a big deal. She’s looking good.

“As a Jamaican girl myself, my girl has grown up in black culture. People forget she’s from Tottenham. She probably eats jerk chicken all the time like all of us.

“All I’m saying is the girl looked good, leave her. Allow her, man.

“If Popcaan is going to endorse it and say yes my girl you’re wearing the flag and you’re wearing it well.

“Let her live her best life, leave her alone. We love Adele.”

Tottenham’s Labour MP David Lammy dubbed accusations against Adele “poppycock”.

He explained: “This humbug totally misses the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival and the tradition of ‘dress up’ or ‘masquerade’.

“Adele was born and raised in Tottenham, she gets it more than most. Thank you Adele. Forget the Haters.”

Adele has yet to comment on the row and a spokesman did not respond to requests last night.

The singer, who has been working on her next album in Los Angeles, is reported to have shed 7st thanks to a lifestyle overhaul, including a love of Pilates.

It came after she filed for divorce from her husband Simon Konecki, 46, last September. The couple have a son aged seven.

"All I'm saying is the girl looked good, leave her. Allow her man. If Popcaan is going to endorse it and say yes my girl you're wearing the flag and you're wearing it well. Let her live her best life, leave her alone. We love Adele."

Meanwhile Naomi Campbell – whose mother was born in Jamaica – commented underneath the photo with hearts and the Jamaican flag.

Guardians of the Galaxy actress Zoe Saldana added: "you look right at home guurrrl!"

MP for Tottenham David Lammy also jumped to her defence, saying: "Poppycock! This humbug totally misses the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival and the tradition of “ dress up” or “ masquerade” Adele was born and raised in Tottenham she gets it more than most. Thank you Adele. Forget the Haters."

The 32-year-old has been accused of being 'insensitive'

Notting Hill Carnival is one of London's most popular annual events and would have taken place this weekend had the coronavirus pandemic not struck.

Its origins date back to the 60s when it first took place to celebrate Caribbean culture.

But this year the celebrations have been moved online for the first time, due to the pandemic.

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