Adele earned her first Primetime Emmy Award in 2022 for her television special Adele: One Night Only, winning in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category. The production was led by acclaimed producer Ben Winston and his production company Fulwell 73, alongside executive producers Adele Adkins, Jonathan Dickins, and Raj Kapoor.
The 2021 television event, which combined a breathtaking performance at the Griffith Observatory with an intimate interview by Oprah Winfrey, was a watershed moment for Adele’s career. By securing this Emmy, she moved significantly closer to the prestigious EGOT status—an acronym for winners of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. As of 2026, Adele remains one of the most decorated artists of her generation, with her Emmy win serving as a testament to her prowess not just as a vocalist, but as a savvy executive producer of high-concept musical cinema.
The Architect of the Event: Ben Winston and Fulwell 73
When discussing the producer behind Adele’s Emmy-winning special, the name Ben Winston stands at the forefront. Winston, a co-founder of the production company Fulwell 73, has become the "gold standard" producer for massive, live-to-tape musical events. His involvement was instrumental in transforming what could have been a standard concert film into a cinematic narrative that captured over 10 million viewers during its initial CBS broadcast.
Winston’s approach to Adele: One Night Only was rooted in the concept of "event television." In an era of fragmented streaming audiences, Winston focused on creating a "must-watch" moment that utilized the historic Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles as a silent protagonist. Under his guidance, the production navigated the logistical nightmares of filming at a public landmark during a period of complex health protocols and unpredictable weather.
Fulwell 73, the London-based production house, is known for its ability to blend high-end British sensibilities with large-scale American broadcast requirements. Winston’s partnership with Adele and her manager, Jonathan Dickins, allowed for a seamless integration of the performance and the narrative interview segments. His work on the special was so well-regarded that it reinforced his position as the primary producer for other major industry events, including the Grammy Awards and various "Carpside" specials.
The Executive Producing Team: Beyond the Music
While Ben Winston provided the production infrastructure, the creative direction was steered by a small, elite group of executive producers. Each member brought a specific expertise that ensured the special would dominate the Emmy Creative Arts ceremonies.
Adele Adkins (Producer and Artist)
Adele’s role as an executive producer was not a vanity credit. She was deeply involved in the setlist selection, the visual aesthetic of the stage, and the choice of Oprah Winfrey as the interviewer. By serving as a producer, Adele maintained creative autonomy over how her "comeback" narrative was framed following her multi-year hiatus. Her Emmy win in this category officially recognized her as a producer of elite television content, a distinction that separates her from many of her contemporary peers.
Jonathan Dickins
As Adele’s long-time manager, Dickins has been the architect of her "quality over quantity" career strategy. His role as producer focused on the business logistics and the global distribution rights of the special. Dickins ensured that the production values met the high standards required for a Primetime Emmy submission, focusing on the technical excellence that the Television Academy rewards.
Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor is a name synonymous with the visual spectacle of modern award shows and residencies. As a producer and showrunner, Kapoor specialized in the "look and feel" of the Griffith Observatory performance. His expertise in screen content, lighting integration, and stage movement ensured that the transition between the black-and-white performance footage and the lush, sun-drenched interview segments felt cohesive rather than jarring.
Technical Mastery: Why the Special Won Five Emmys
The Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) was the "Big One," but Adele: One Night Only actually took home five awards in total. This sweep was due to the incredible technical team assembled by the producers. The success of the special provides a blueprint for how technical depth translates into critical acclaim.
- Directing: Paul Dugdale won for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special. His ability to capture the scale of the Hollywood Hills while keeping the camera focused on Adele’s emotional nuances was cited as a primary reason for the win.
- Lighting Design: Al Gurdon, a legend in the industry, won for Outstanding Lighting Design. The production used the natural sunset of Los Angeles as a backdrop, transitioning into a sophisticated light show that illuminated the Art Deco architecture of the observatory without overshadowing the artist.
- Sound Mixing: The challenge of recording a live vocal performance outdoors is immense. The sound team won for Outstanding Sound Mixing, achieving a studio-quality audio profile despite the environmental factors of an outdoor hilltop location.
- Technical Direction: The seamless multi-camera setup, managed by a team of veteran technicians, earned the award for Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork.
The synergy between the producers and these technical departments created a "perfect storm" of high-art production that the Television Academy found impossible to ignore.
The Griffith Observatory: A Production Challenge
The choice of the Griffith Observatory as the venue was a high-risk, high-reward decision made by the production team. From a producer's perspective, the location presented significant hurdles that required meticulous planning.
- Logistics and Permitting: Filming at a state-run facility and a historic monument involves rigorous environmental and structural oversight. The producers had to ensure that the weight of the stage and the heat from the lighting rigs did not damage the site.
- Acoustics: High-altitude outdoor locations often suffer from wind interference. The production team utilized specialized microphone shielding and advanced post-production cleanup to ensure Adele’s signature power remained intact.
- Seating and Audience: The "invite-only" crowd included a mix of A-list celebrities (such as Lizzo, Drake, and Melissa McCarthy). Managing the security and privacy of such a high-profile audience in a public-facing park required a massive security detail and closed-set protocols that Ben Winston’s team coordinated with the LAPD.
Comparing Adele’s Major Television Specials
To understand why One Night Only was the breakthrough that earned the Emmy, it is helpful to compare it to her previous televised works.
| Feature | Adele: Live in London (2011) | Adele: Live in New York City (2015) | Adele: One Night Only (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Producer | Graham Norton / Peter Van-Riet | Lorne Michaels / Ken Ehrlich | Ben Winston / Adele / Raj Kapoor |
| Venue Type | Studio Theater | Radio City Music Hall | Historic Landmark (Outdoor) |
| Narrative Format | Performance only | Performance + Behind the Scenes | Performance + Long-form Interview |
| Emmy Outcome | Nominated | Nominated | Won (5 Awards) |
| Cinematography | Traditional Broadcast | High-Gloss Stage | Cinematic / Feature Film Style |
| Cultural Impact | Introduced "21" to the UK | Celebrated "25" in NYC | Global comeback event for "30" |
The Road to EGOT: Adele’s Status in 2026
In the year 2026, the discussion around Adele and her Emmy win often centers on her quest for the EGOT. Having already secured multiple Grammys (Music) and an Academy Award (for "Skyfall" in the Best Original Song category), the Emmy win for One Night Only was the third piece of the puzzle.
To complete the EGOT, Adele requires a Tony Award. Producers in the industry have speculated that her next move may involve a limited-run Broadway engagement or a musical production where she serves as a composer or producer. The Emmy win proved that she can successfully transition from "performer" to "producer" in the eyes of voting academies, which is a crucial distinction for the "E" and "T" components of the EGOT.
The producers behind her Emmy special—specifically Ben Winston—have often been credited with helping Adele see herself as a "multi-hyphenate" creator. By taking the executive producer title, she learned the intricacies of the Television Academy’s voting blocks, a skill set that will undoubtedly serve her should she pursue a Broadway project.
The Role of CBS and Global Distribution
A producer's job is not just making the show, but ensuring it finds the right platform. Ben Winston and Jonathan Dickins chose CBS for the US premiere, a move that guaranteed a massive "linear" television audience before the special moved to streaming on Paramount+. This dual-pronged distribution strategy maximized the show’s visibility during the Emmy voting window.
The special was also sold to international markets, including the BBC in the UK, where it was titled An Audience with Adele. Although the UK version featured a different format (a Q&A with celebrities instead of the Oprah interview), the core production—the Griffith Observatory performance—remained the anchor. This global footprint ensured that the "buzz" surrounding the production was unavoidable for industry professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Emmy for Adele: One Night Only?
The Emmy was officially awarded to the Executive Producers: Ben Winston, Adele Adkins, Jonathan Dickins, and Raj Kapoor, as well as Co-Executive Producers such as Emma Conway. The special itself won in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category.
Is Adele an EGOT winner?
As of 2026, Adele is an EGO winner. She has won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, over 15 Grammy Awards, and an Academy Award (Oscar). She currently lacks a Tony Award, which is required to complete the EGOT status.
Which producer is most associated with Adele’s TV success?
Ben Winston of Fulwell 73 is the producer most associated with Adele’s Emmy success. He is a close collaborator who has also produced her "Carpool Karaoke" segments and other high-profile televised performances.
Where was the winning Emmy special filmed?
The performance segments of Adele: One Night Only were filmed at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. The interview segments were filmed at a private residence, often cited as being part of Oprah Winfrey’s property or a similarly secluded rose garden setting in Montecito.
How many Emmys did Adele’s special win in total?
The special won a total of five Emmy Awards at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards:
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special
- Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Special
Future Implications for Adele as a Producer
The success of One Night Only has permanently altered Adele’s career trajectory. Moving forward, it is unlikely she will participate in any major televised event without an Executive Producer credit. This Emmy-winning collaboration with Ben Winston and Raj Kapoor established a high-water mark for what a "pre-recorded variety special" can be—moving away from the "concert film" tropes and toward a more cinematic, narrative-driven experience.
For aspiring producers, the lesson of Adele’s Emmy win is clear: technical excellence, a unique location, and a strong narrative anchor (like the Oprah interview) are the ingredients for critical and commercial success. As we look at the landscape of entertainment in 2026, the "Adele/Winston model" remains the standard for how superstars re-introduce themselves to the world.
