IT’S been 13 years since Sam Smith shot to international fame with their single Lay Me Down and subsequent debut album In The Lonely Hour.
Since then, a lot has changed, as not only have they sold 64million albums around the world, but they’ve also won five Grammys and an Academy Award.
Sam Smith has sold 64million albums around the world over the past 13 years Credit: Getty
Non-binary musician Sam recently released new album Hazel Eyes Credit: Getty
They also count the likes of Madonna and Ed Sheeran as good friends—with Sam casually admitting they text “M” all the time.
But as Sam sits down backstage at Manchester’s Albert Hall ahead of two sold-out shows at the venue, there’s no sense of being warped by a decade of global stardom.
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Sam, who came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns, says: “I try to live a diva life, but I also love the highs and lows.
“I have diva dogs, which I am allergic to, and yes, I love a bubble bath, but I just love a service station in the UK, like Moto — I love them so much.
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“I really do have the best of both worlds. I feel like I’m very lucky in my fame and my life because I’ve managed to have a life where I really do live quite normally.
“Like yesterday in Manchester, I just walked around with my friend, went shopping, and then went for a curry and to the cinema.
“I get asked for some pictures here and there, but people will normally just let me be a lot of the time. I’m able to live how I would if I wasn’t famous.”
Next week, they will kick off an eight-night residency at the London Coliseum, where I’m told special guests are being lined up to surprise fans.
Sam will kick off an eight-night residency at the London Coliseum Credit: Getty
Special guests are expected on stage with Sam during his residency in London Credit: Getty
Last month, Sam released their fifth album, Hazel Eyes—a record which harks back to their 2013 debut.
There is no denying that Sam’s image has changed a lot over the years, both in terms of their physical appearance and their sometimes-wacky costumes – a far cry from the suits worn in their early days.
“It’s all the real Sam,” they explain.
“We can all be everything. And every single album, every expression of mine, is an expression of who I am.
“At the beginning of my career, I really wanted to find this one look, just one thing, and stick to it, but it’s just not who I am.
“I’m many different things, and I have so many different tones and themes, and different pop stars within me.”
They smile while I remind them of the online meltdown they triggered with the inflatable black latex bodysuit worn to the Brit Awards in 2023.
Sam says: “I love that outfit. 100 percent the funnest outfit I’ve ever worn in my life. And I probably wore it for the shortest time ever. I was in it for, like, 15 minutes.
Sam has finally found the one in fashion designer Christian Cowan Credit: Getty
Sam admits his outlandish inflatable outfit at the Brits caused a real stir Credit: Getty
“All my outfits are in storage and all looked after—even some of my suits from the beginning of my career.
“Even things like the jacket I wore to the Oscars. I try to save everything I can. Some things have gone missing, though.”
Hazel Eyes’ album track Oh Mother is partly inspired by their close bond with the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna.
The two have been friends for years and even collaborated on 2023 single Vulgar – a year after topping the charts with the Kim Petras collaboration, Unholy.
Sam says of the music icon: “We text. We don’t WhatsApp; we text.“M is an amazing artist. She just came to my aid so beautifully around the Unholy time, and I just have so many beautiful memories of when we’re in the studio together.
“And because of her support and years prior to that, I’d just been such a huge lover and just so inspired by her music, her art, but also her staying power.
“She goes through so much s***.
“You just look into the comments sections of anything Madonna, and people are so cruel to her, but she sticks around, and she stays, and she’s so strong.
“I find that strength really inspiring to me. Just like the strength of my own mum.”
Away from the stage and their glitzy showbiz life, they have another passion project — food.
Their Sam Served social media food blog—where they go by the alter ego Ham Smith — has almost 900,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok.
When asked if they plan to release a cookbook in the near future, Sam shuts the question down with a wry smile.
“Well, you have to ask Ham Smith about that,” they laugh.
“They’re a completely different person. So you should have an interview with them, and maybe they’ll talk to you about it. I’m sure they’ll be down.”
Sam adds: “I love food more than people know. I mean, you could probably tell I love food.
“I’m very adventurous with what I like, and I am very passionate about comfort food and about celebrating that as someone who’s also fluctuated with weight through the years.
“I have a very positive relationship with food now. So getting to share the places that I go to, these amazing places…
“I mean, I haven’t even touched the surface with Sam Served—some of the amazing restaurants and people I’ve got to know over the years.
“It’s just nice to talk about food and eat it as well, and not put on massive blowup latex outfits all the time.”
There was a three-year gap between Sam’s last two albums, but they promise the wait won’t be as long for their next record.
Sam says: “Normally with my albums in the past, I’ve released an album and then toured for, like, three years afterwards.
“But I felt like I grew so deeply after Hazel Eyes that I’m eager to get back into the studio, to carry on my work on the records—like the recording work.
“So I won’t be doing any more touring after the London shows. I’ll be back into the studio.”
Sam would also jump at the chance to record another film theme, after their 2015 Bond song Writing’s On The Wall won them the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2016.
Sam says: “Oh my god, I would love to do more. I loved it. Writing movie soundtracks was just so fun. It was incredible.”
TALENT SEARCH
SAM has teamed up with BBC Introducing to usher in new talent.
All of Sam’s shows will be supported by artists from up and down the country, hand-picked by the singer from the talent-spotting platform.
Bosses received more than 1,500 submissions, which were then shortlisted by a BBC Introducing panel before Sam personally selected ten to perform at their shows.
Sam’s gig on Wednesday will be recorded for a BBC One and BBC Radio 2 concert special.
After years of singing about love and heartbreak, Sam has finally found the one in fashion designer Christian Cowan, who recently proposed.
Reflecting on their struggles when it came to dating, Sam says: “There are moments when you’re dating that are rough. It’s hard. But I always maintained hope.
“There were times when I was over it, but I think the core of me always held onto the hope that love was around the corner. And I think it’s important to hold on to that, if you want that.
“Love doesn’t mean all your problems go away. It’s up and down, and you’ve ultimately got to have a good relationship with yourself before you get into a relationship.
“It’s the same with fame. We are all human beings.”
They also admit that while their twenties were gruelling and they missed out on family events, they don’t regret growing up in the spotlight.
Sam says: “There were moments when you missed family birthdays or things like that, and you would have wanted to be there.
“But if I’m honest, where I am now, I look back on my life and I don’t think I missed out on anything.
“I still have such a beautiful relationship with my family, and I got to travel around the world and perform to crowds and just live the most incredible twenties.
“It was honestly an amazing time. And life now is still amazing, so I don’t have regrets or think I missed out back then. I think this was the life I was meant to live.
“I spent a lot of time on my phone in my twenties, which made me quite anxious – sometimes reading the comments, but also looking at other people’s lives and their feeds.
“It’s important to get out there and watch movies, read books, and try new things.
“I tried pottery last year. I also went for a sailing class in New York by myself on the Hudson River, which was amazing.
“I was s**t, but it was a challenge, and I need to do that more as I get older—just try new things.”
THINK PINK TO HELP YOUTH
SAM has launched The Pink House Foundation to help queer youth.
Speaking about the charity, they told Bizarre: “I grew up in a house called The Pink House.
“I was lucky enough to grow up in a very safe, beautiful environment where I was able to be who I wanted to be, and I got to grow as a person because of that safety.
“I just want to bring that to other people.”
Sam added: “I’ve travelled all around the world and I’ve been to so many different parts of the world where LGBT laws don’t exist . . . and people are struggling to find safety, the basic needs we need as humans, some people don’t have.
“So I want to put everything I can behind supporting these amazing foundations and people who are saving queer lives and youth.
“It’s something I’m just very passionate about. And it’s all happening very naturally and beautifully.”
MAKE NO MIS-TEEQ, IT’LL BE BIG
Mis-Teeq have hand-picked a special line-up of UK garage artists for their reunion concert Credit: PA
MIS-TEEQ will reunite for a one-off 25th anniversary concert next Saturday – and have hand-picked a special line-up of UK garage artists to warm up the crowd.
Insiders tell me Alesha Dixon, Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash want the show, Rampage Sounds Presents Misteeq, to bring a party atmosphere to London’s OVO Arena Wembley.
A source said: “This concert is all about celebration for Mis-Teeq and they knew they wanted to have multiple acts to really whip the audience up.
“They’ve secured Damage, Egypt, Kele Le Roc, Malika, Gracious Kay and Monsta Boy to perform.
“It’s going to be off the charts.”
Tickets have already sold out, as excitement builds.
I’m sure it will be huge.
BLACK SABBATH lead guitarist Tony Iommi has told how he spoke to bandmate Ozzy Osbourne the night before the frontman died last summer.
Tony, who had recently performed with him at the Back To The Beginning concert in Birmingham, told Music Radar: “He said to me, ‘I really feel tired, really worn out’. I said, ‘Well, it’s been a lot of stress’. Next day, [he’s] gone.”
NAN HAS SPOOKEN
ANNE-MARIE has used a psychic to help her make her upcoming fourth album.
The Ciao Adios singer told Heart Breakfast: “I see psychics all the time, and I saw one and he goes, ‘Your nan is here and she’s telling you in your music you need to stop shouting and sing properly.’
“And I thought actually I do shout quite a bit, so I’ve tried to sing properly on this one.”
The married mum-of-two added: “It’s really strange because I feel like a lot of my career I’ve written about a lot of really annoying ex-boyfriends and I don’t have one at the moment.
“I’ve had to branch out and try and find other stuff to sing about and I do have a lot to sing about. It’s been great and I’ve been writing with amazing people.”
9 TO TOP 5
Dolly Parton’s famous hit 9 To 5 is soaring up the charts following her death Credit: Getty – Contributor
DOLLY PARTON’s 1980 track 9 To 5 is finally a UK hit – at No5, a week on from her death.
The US country great’s upbeat song, poking fun at the patriarchy, made only No47 here when released.
Her 1973 hit Jolene, which originally peaked here at No7, is now No6, and 1983‘s Islands In The Stream with Kenny Rogers is No9.
Dolly’s greatest hits collection Diamonds & Rhinestones is at an all-time high of No5.
There’s of a country takeover in the latest charts, as US singer-songwriter Ella Langley’s single Choosin’ Texas has risen to No1 – finally dislodging Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In after its record-breaking 23 weeks in the top spot, non-consecutive.
Ordinary singer Alex Warren shoots straight to No1 in the albums chart, with his second studio record Wildchild, narrowly beating a new hits collection from Courteeners.
Bananarama are back at No6 with a reissue of their third studio album True Confessions, 40 years after its release.
