On Tuesday, Adele turned 32 years old and posted an Instagram photo of herself to celebrate the occasion.
"Thank you for the birthday love. I hope you're all staying safe and sane during this crazy time," the singer wrote in the caption. "I'd like to thank all of our first responders and essential workers who are keeping us safe while risking their lives! You are truly our angels ♥️ 2020 okay bye thanks x."
The caption wasn't the source of widespread controversy—instead, it was the amount of weight Adele appeared to have shed since her last public appearance.
By the age of 32, Adele has earned 15 Grammys, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe. Still, fans and fellow celebrities across the globe offered their opinion on her body transformation.
"I mean are you kidding me," Chrissy Teigen wrote in the comments.
"you've worked so hard to look like this and I'm so glad you've got your purpose, but I want to tell you that for me you were always spectacular, beautiful and sexy woman," wrote Spanish TV personality Nagore Robles.
Although the response to her weight loss has been overwhelmingly full of praise, the social media storm sparked a debate about body image and the celebration of thinness.
"I see that Adele is trending because people are saying how gorgeous she is since she lost weight. Y'all, we've been over this... Your weight doesn't determine your beauty," tweeted Melissa Blake, blogger and disability activist. "Your appearance doesn't determine your beauty. The number on the scale doesn't make you worthy or unworthy."
Despite the discussion centered around her, Adele has refrained from entering the conversation about her body—probably for the best.
