TIME 100 most influential list: Adele can't stop fangirling over ‘breathtakingly beautiful’ Rihanna in letter

Adele has proved she is Rihanna’s biggest fan after penning a sweet tribute to the singer for the annual TIME 100 list.

Adele, 29, recalled how she went “numb” on meeting Rihanna for the first time as she gushed over “the most gracious, loyal and funny goofball of an icon”.

Adele penned two paragraphs outlining why she feels the Umbrella singer deserves to be recognised as one of the world’s most influential people.

She wrote: “I actually can’t remember the first time I met Rihanna; I was probably numb from the shock of it. She is one year older than me, but I feel like she’s been around forever. The progression of her superstardom feels steady, well deserved and extremely natural.”

Adele described Rihanna as a “breathtakingly beautiful” person who has “designed and conquered an entire lane of her own”. She also claimed no one will ever be able to emulate her “groundbreaking world”.

She finished: “Whenever I’ve met her, she’s been the most gracious, loyal and funny goofball of an icon.

“She glows like when someone’s taken a picture with a flash and you’re dazed for a few minutes after. But it’s also very clear in that glow that she genuinely doesn’t give a f***; she’s fearless and full of all the right kind of attitude to be everything that she is and will be forever.”

A host of musicians including Cardi B and Shawn Mendes have made the cut as well as actors Sterling K. Brown, Gal Gadot, Nicole Kidman and Millie Bobby Brown.

Soon to be married Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are also on the list as well as President Donald Trump and fellow politicians Sadiq Khan and Justin Trudeau.

The pioneers will be celebrated at the TIME 100 gala on April 24 at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York.