Sam Smith Opens Up About His Oscar Gaffe

Curtis M. Wong

Turns out, tequila was to blame for Sam Smith’s 2016 Oscars blunder.

Appearing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” Tuesday, Smith recalled the moment he implied he was the first openly gay man to win an Oscar at the Academy Awards last year. In case you’ve forgotten, the pop singer misquoted Ian McKellen during his speech while picking up the Best Original Song award for “Writing’s on the Wall” from the James Bond film, “Spectre.”

“I read an article a few months ago by Sir Ian McKellen, and he said that no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar,” he told the crowd at the time. “If this is the case — even if it isn’t the case — I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community all around the world.”

Unfortunately for Smith, McKellen had been referencing the fact that no openly gay man had won the Oscar for Best Actor. Other gay men ― including Stephen Sondheim, Elton John and Dustin Lance Black ― had previously been honored by the Academy in other categories. Needless to say, the singer-songwriter was quickly called out for the mistake on social media.

As it turns out, Smith had taken a few swigs from a pocket flask filled with tequila before the speech. “I wasn’t happy with my performance, and we thought we had no chance of winning at all. So I was just like, ‘Let’s just get the party started,’” he told Ellen Tuesday. “Then we won, and I was just like, ‘Whoa.’”

Noting that he “obviously” knew he wasn’t the first openly gay man to win an Oscar, Smith explained, “My brain and my mouth didn’t work together. I mucked up.”

At first, Smith responded to the controversy that followed his remarks by taking an extended break from social media and retreating to his native England. That self-imposed hiatus, he added, was necessary as he began work on his forthcoming album, “The Thrill of It All.”

“After the Oscar, I just really needed to hug my mom and just be with my sisters and go back home,” he said. Noting that he’s currently in a relationship, he added, “I did kiss a few men and ran around the streets of London, had a good time... My music is about love, and it’s important to take the time to allow your heart to have it a little bit.”

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Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Taking home three Brit Awards for Critics Choice in 2014 and British Breakthrough Act and Global Success in 2015.
Taking home three Brit Awards for Critics Choice in 2014 and British Breakthrough Act and Global Success in 2015.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Won four Grammys in 2015 including Best New Artist, "Stay with Me" for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, and In the Lonely Hour for Best Pop Vocal Album.
Won four Grammys in 2015 including Best New Artist, "Stay with Me" for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, and In the Lonely Hour for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Topped the 2014 BBC Sound Of poll, beating off competition from Ella Eyre and George Ezra.
Topped the 2014 BBC Sound Of poll, beating off competition from Ella Eyre and George Ezra.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Performed a duet of ‘Stay With Me’ with Mary J. Blige.
Performed a duet of ‘Stay With Me’ with Mary J. Blige.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Recorded a version of ‘Lay Me Down’ with John Legend, which went on to top the charts.
Recorded a version of ‘Lay Me Down’ with John Legend, which went on to top the charts.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Amassed an army of celebrity fans including Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus.
Amassed an army of celebrity fans including Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Sold out New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Sold out New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Transformed his relationship with food to become just four pounds away from his goal weight.
Transformed his relationship with food to become just four pounds away from his goal weight.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Scored the fastest selling album of 2014.
Scored the fastest selling album of 2014.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Became the only artist to sell 1 million albums in UK and US in 2014.
Became the only artist to sell 1 million albums in UK and US in 2014.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Gained 2.85 million followers on Twitter and 3.8 million Instagram fans.
Gained 2.85 million followers on Twitter and 3.8 million Instagram fans.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Set a US sales record after debut album, ‘In the Lonely Hour’, the most sold in the first week by a UK male artist's debut album, shifting 166,000 copies.
Set a US sales record after debut album, ‘In the Lonely Hour’, the most sold in the first week by a UK male artist's debut album, shifting 166,000 copies.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Received the honour of being invited to perform at the Grammys.
Received the honour of being invited to perform at the Grammys.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

His album ‘In The Lonely Hour’ became the second best-selling on 2014, just behind Ed Sheeran’s ‘X’.
His album ‘In The Lonely Hour’ became the second best-selling on 2014, just behind Ed Sheeran’s ‘X’.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Performed on a sell-out tour in spring 2014, before announcing a world arena tour for this year.
Performed on a sell-out tour in spring 2014, before announcing a world arena tour for this year.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Picked up two Ivor Novello nominations.
Picked up two Ivor Novello nominations.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Won three Billboard Music Awards for Top New Artist, Top Male Artist and Top Radio Songs Artist in 2015.
Won three Billboard Music Awards for Top New Artist, Top Male Artist and Top Radio Songs Artist in 2015.

Sam Smith's biggest achievements

Got into his first Twitter spat after wading into the Louis Tomlinson/Naughty Boy row.
Got into his first Twitter spat after wading into the Louis Tomlinson/Naughty Boy row.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.