Sam Smith Celebrates Conquering Body Dysmorphia Amid Backlash Over Their New Controversial Music Video

Sam Smith is one of the most prominent musical talents of our time with 4 Grammys and an Oscar to show for it. But despite their irrefutable talent, the famous singer has had to deal with personal adversities in their life, mostly revolving around self-identity. Nowadays, however, it seems that Smith is finally comfortable in their own skin, even though it occasionally causes a stir on social media.

Sam Smith’s journey to self-acceptance

Sam Smith publically came out as gay in 2014 and revealed they were in a relationship with a man. Unfortunately, the romance ended in heartbreak, which helped Smith write their hit song, Stay with Me, which gained them worldwide fame and a Grammy for Record of the Year. As Smith famously said in their speech, “I want to thank the man who this record is about, who I fell in love with last year. Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me 4 Grammys!”

In 2017, Smith’s self-exploration culminated in them coming out, once again, revealing that they identify as genderqueer. Smith explained: “I feel just as much a woman as I am a man.” 2 years later, the singer took it even further and switched to they/them pronouns, announcing that they’re non-binary: “I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.”

Smith revealed that they’re finally happy in their own skin.

In a recent interview, Smith detailed their battle with self-image and confidence, explaining, “Within my industry, there is definitely that question of, ‘What should a pop star look like?’” They explained that they’ve felt like they never fully fit the typical industry standards, and it messed with their confidence.

“When I was 25 I came off tour exhausted. I looked to role models in the body world,” the singer admitted. “Every time I went to the pool I felt self-conscious, but I forced myself to take my top off.”

Even though Smith always had to push themselves to not hide their body, they now believe it helped them overcome insecurities and finally accept their appearance. “It paid off because I now have the opposite of body dysmorphia. I look fabulous. I’m finally getting a tan. I’m burnt in places I’ve never been burnt,” Smith stated.

After putting so much effort into their body image, Smith poured their experience into their new album, which is all about being themselves. As they put it, “I’m happier in my own skin on Gloria. I feel liberated, released from pressures I felt when I was young. My mom says that, as I’ve got older, I’ve stopped caring what people think as much. She tends to be right.”

Smith’s new risqué music video has ruffled a few feathers.

But the singer’s newfound confidence is not sitting right with some people. Smith’s newest music video for I’m Not Here to Make Friends, in which they don’t shy away from wearing slightly more revealing outfits than usual and dancing around, has upset a few people online. Some people were worried and called out the video for being inappropriate for children, and they also blamed the platform for suggesting it to that age group.

Smith’s fans and even casual listeners couldn’t stand idly by. In fact, many people came to the singer’s defense.

• “Sam Smith looks so much happier now and it’s pretty sad how many people would prefer for them to be thin, closeted, and depressed.” — testochunky / Twitter

• “If Sam Smith were thin, cis, and straight, they wouldn’t be ridiculed for how they present and dress. If Harry Styles wore the same fits on a magazine cover, y’all would be screaming YAS QUEEN. Anyway, support fat queer people.” — maemurrayxo / Twitter

• “I finally watched the Sam Smith video and was like, ’That’s...it?!’ Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon were in full joyful drag in the I Want to Break Free video almost 40 years ago.” — SoozUK / Twitter

Do you think Sam Smith is being inspirational to people struggling with body insecurities and self-acceptance? Have you seen their new music video? What did you think of it?