Sam Smith just released their fourth album, Gloria. For the album cover, they were photographed topless, which is the end of a long journey for Sam. After struggling with body dysmorphia (BD) for years, they see themselves in a whole new light, and they love what they see. Sam said about five years ago, they started the process of body acceptance by forcing themselves to take their shirt off when they went to pools. Now, they can’t get enough of how they look. As they told The Sunday Times [via People] “I look fabulous.”
Sam Smith is getting candid about their experience getting over body dysmorphia.
Talking with The Sunday Times, the singer, 30, recently opened up about feeling good in their skin after struggling with their weight while being in the public eye. They admitted that it was a long journey before they were able to be comfortable enough to pose topless for their recent album cover Gloria.
“Within my industry there is definitely that question of, ‘What should a pop star look like?'” they told the outlet, noting that they never fit the “norm.” However, Smith revealed that the turning point with their self-image was after their Thrill of It All tour in 2018.
“When I was 25 I came off tour exhausted. I looked to role models in the body world. Every time I went to the pool I felt self-conscious, but I forced myself to take my top off,” they said. “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.”
A few years ago, Jonah Hill posted a similar message about taking his shirt off at a pool. It’s interesting but understandable how that is such a universal being the mark of self-acceptance. It starts at grade school pool parties, doesn’t it? Some of us wore t-shirts for weight, some because they had boobs, some because they didn’t. Boys and girls alike. As a Californian, I love that Sam uses getting burnt as a joy of body acceptance. I know what their point is but put on some sunscreen, Sam! The overall message is marvelous, though. That they started a journey with that first huge step of exposing’ themselves in that way, and now Sam can recognize their fabulousness. You love to see it.
The People article reflected back on Sam’s 2020 Times interview in which they connected their BD with their gender identity (Sam came out as non-binary in 2019). I realize BD stems from different issues for different people, but this is an angle I hadn’t considered before. It sheds light on a whole new level of cruelty with these anti-trans laws and why they’re so dangerous. If we deny people the right to live as they truly see themselves, they will never see they’re fabulous, like Sam does.
Photo credit: Instagram and Getty Images
I’m so happy for Sam, they’re absolutely darling. Fck the haters.
It’s so great to read something so joyous – good for them. And I hope they are a huge inspiration for people still on the journey.
Won’t be showing my small children his video 😬, but glad they have reached such a good place and long may it continue.
adore this for them!!! go Sam!!!
Good for Sam. Anti-trans views make me so angry.
They do look fabulous and the video is ICONIC
Sam’s music is not my thing but they certainly are happier now – they look fabulous and can rock a sparkly outfit.
I haven’t seen their new video yet but its causing all sorts of ‘outrage’ – let’s just say if Harry Styles put out a video like that he would be praised to the skies and beyond for his ‘artistry’. Sam is far more talented and original than Styles could ever dream about being.
I think the video is in the Madonna vein of ‘shocking’. There is one scene which simulates golden showers, which I believe is what people are offended by.
Honestly I found it a little dull. I am generally not a great fan of sexualised videos, I find them all a little samey.
Truth is the most probable outrage is that Sam is going round wearing a corset and showing their body- which happens to be an average, dad bod.
The golden showers thing made me go eww (I’m a bit more old school in that way), so I probably won’t re-watch it, but I do like the dad bod. Even in a corset.
Yeah, I thought that part of the video was gross, and overall it wasn’t my vibe, but I loved seeing Smith’s joy and sass in it. You can tell they’re really loving themselves and loving life. And also sending out a big FU to judgey people!
Sam looks fabulous
Body Euphoria! Yay!
I saw Sam live in concert years ago and they were fabulous! I love Sam ❤️❤️
Glad to know they’re happy but that song is awful.
I have to admit after seeing a video of a member of their entourage assaulting a fan and swearing at her (teenage girl) while they walked by without even a reaction, it really put me off.
They’re also known for attacking people who do covers. Probably because the covers sound better
Ironic, considering their various plagiarism lawsuits, one they lost and one ongoing.
I did something so similar to this with makeup – I realized that if I wore lipstick everyday, I started to hate my face without lipstick. So I made myself wear nothing until I felt normal without lipstick. Good for Sam (and Jonah)!
Daaaammmnnn but that blond is really working on them. They absolutely do look fabulous (and not just the hair). There is no shoe, outfit or accessory as sexy as confidence.
They are beautiful inside and out.