Adele wasn't on American Idol and she didn't get her big break from any sort of reality TV show, but she has been on a reality show before. She has actually performed on more than one. ... It was on season eight of the reality show in 2009 that Adele performed Chasing Pavements; the second single from her debut album, 19.

How did Adele get famous?

Adele's debut album, 19, which is named for the singer's age when she began recording the project, went on sale in early 2008. Led by two popular lead singles, "Hometown Glory" and "Chasing Pavements," the record rocketed Adele to fame.

What TV show did Adele win?

A performance on the television program Saturday Night Live helped introduce Adele to American audiences, and in early 2009 she won Grammy Awards for best new artist and best female pop vocal performance (for the lush bluesy song “Chasing Pavements”).