Alistair McGeorge
Sam Smith is loving life and feeling comfortable in their own skin after growing up avoiding putting their figure on display.
The 30-year-old singer, who battled weight issues in school, has learned to accept their body and move past society’s focus on toned celebrities like Justin Bieber. The singer reflects on their childhood fear of removing their top in public while swimming and their struggle with weight.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Sam said: “There is definitely that debate about what a pop star should look like within my industry. When I was 25, I returned from a tour worn out.
‘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. 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.’
There’s been a shift in Sam’s whole outlook and that looks to be apparent on their new album Gloria, which drops on Friday (January 27) and is considered by Sam to be the most authentic record they have done to date.
‘I’ve always been authentic,’ they clarified. ‘I just think asking a 24-year-old to be their 100 per cent self in front of 20,000 people was never going to happen. I showed 70 per cent of who I was then and a lot of that has to do with me being gay.
‘As I got older, though, I realised there’s no shame. I wasn’t being inauthentic — you just keep some things to yourself until you’re ready.’
The newfound freedom is reflected in their lyrics, with Sam thriving on singing about feelings of joy on the new collection.
‘Writing sad songs used to be easy, while leaning into joy was tough. I’m happier in my own skin on Gloria. I feel liberated, released from pressures I felt when I was young,’ they said.
Pondering what change, Sam added: ‘My mum says that, as I’ve got older, I’ve stopped caring what people think as much. She tends to be right.’
