Sam Smith Unapologetically Speaks on Body Dysmorphia Amidst Recent Fat Shaming

Gigi Fong
·2 min read
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After backlash from their music video for "I'm Not Here To Make Friends​," musician Sam Smith opens up about their journey of overcoming body dysmorphia.

The reveal of Smith's latest music video was absolutely iconic, featuring the artist in corsets and bustiers with the cutest heart detailing on the bum -- courtesy of Ukrainian brand FROLOV. Where some fans absolutely ate the look up, others began to shame the artist for debuting a sex-positive look, with fatphobic comments about Smith's weight.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Smith opened up about their journey with body dysmorphia and the public's opinion. "I'm happier in my own skin on Gloria," Smith said speaking of their latest studio album. "I feel liberated, released from pressures I felt when I was young... My mum says that, as I've got older, I've stopped caring what people think as much. She tends to be right."

Admittedly, however, the industry did negatively affect their self-perception, causing burgeoning body dysmorphia. "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.""

However, their 2019 tour and Gloria catalyzed an internal change, allowing them to "get closer to who I am," they said. With Gloria specifically, inspiring a "feminine spirit in me," they said.

View the artist's new era below.

In other news, check out the hilarious reason the "Unholy" singer was banned from dating apps.