Sam Smith discussed the criticism that followed changes in their appearance and artistic direction over the course of their career.
The 34-year-old singer spoke with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe about their career, their upcoming album Hazel Eyes and the different reactions they have received from the public.
Sam Smith opens up about their polarizing image and the backlash surrounding their dramatic transformation
Smith said their career has developed differently from those of many other artists. They also noted that some members of their professional team have remained with them since the beginning.
“The transitions I’ve gone through in my body and myself, in my clothes, in my weight, in my everything, it’s come with a lot of backlash and a lot of kind of all of us needing to educate at the same time,” Smith said.
The singer also addressed why they consider themselves a polarizing public figure. Smith recalled something their mother used to say about the women in their family.
“My mom always said to me when I grew up, my mom said, ‘The women in our family are like Marmite.’ She said, ‘People either love us or hate us,’” Smith explained. “And I have become a big f—ing tub of Marmite.”
Smith then described the different responses people can have to their voice and personality.
“It’s just in my DNA,” they said. “I’m a polarizing person. Some people hear me talk and sing and they’re like, ‘How lovely.’ And some people are like, ‘Get the f— out of here.’”
Smith also looked back at their work since releasing In the Lonely Hour in 2014. They said they sometimes identify things they would handle differently but no longer dwell on those decisions.
“I look back at things and I study them a little bit, and I’m like, ‘I would’ve done that differently, and that was not maybe good enough.’ But I don’t whip myself about it,” Smith said. “I don’t torture myself anymore about it.”
Their new album, Hazel Eyes, represents a transition between the musical genres Smith has explored. They said the project could also shape how they approach a more commercial pop sound in the future.
Smith also discussed support they received from Madonna during the controversy surrounding their 2022 song “Unholy” with Kim Petras. They said Madonna contacted them at the time.
Hazel Eyes is scheduled for release Friday, August 21.
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