Sam Smith had a nice holiday. He was in Sydney, Australia with his new boyfriend. The boyfriend’s name is Jonathan Zeizel, and they apparently met on the set of one of Sam’s videos. Sam was posting new-couple photos throughout the holidays – go here to see Sam’s Instagram. I’m hoping that this Jonathan guy doesn’t break Sam’s heart. Sam is only 22! And he’s so emotional. Anyway, Sam covers the new issue of V Magazine and his cover interview was conducted by none other than CHAKA KHAN. How cool is that? Chaka got Sam to gossip a little bit too, and Sam says that he doesn’t even care for some of the pop tarts out there these days:

Sam Smith is putting some music stars on blast! In the new issue of V magazine, the 22-year-old “Stay With Me” singer bonds with music icon Chaka Khan while also calling out some of today’s younger industry acts.

“Even when you meet them—I won’t name names—but some of these pop stars are just awful,” Smith said in his interview with Khan. “And they have not even had half the success that you’ve had and yet you’re so humble and kind.”

“Well, it’s people skills,” Khan replied. “Talking to a screen all day long takes the human experience out. Luckily I grew up in a time when we only had a telephone at home.”

Meanwhile, the new BFFs also vowed to work together sometime in the future, “We are definitely going to write a song together,” Khan told Smith. “Hundred percent, I’m in,” he replied. “I was actually thinking me, you, and Mary [J. Blige] would do something.”

“That’d be hot,” Khan replied. “She’s a good writer.”

Smith added, “My mom always used to joke around with her friends, when I was, like, 12 years old—’It’s all good. Sam’s just got to get Chaka Khan to sing with him when I’m in my 50s.’ I rang her this morning and she was like, ‘I can’t believe you.'”

[From E! News]

It’s unclear (to me) whether Sam is saying some pop stars are “awful” musically or “awful” as people, on a personal level. I think he means awful on a personal level. Sam ended up befriending some of the young pop stars over the past year – Katy Perry was trying to be his BFF during the VMAs, but then it seemed like Sam went over to Taylor Swift’s side for a while. Do you think he’s talking about Katy or Swifty? Or maybe he’s just talking about Ariana Grande. I think everyone can agree that Ariana is the worst.

Photos courtesy of V Magazine, Sam’s Instagram.