Sam Smith Opens Up About Fame, Privacy and Finding Joy in Meeting Fans

Sam Smith is opening up about the difficult relationship they have had with fame and the public, saying therapy has helped them find a healthier balance.

In an interview published by The Guardian on Aug. 14, the singer-songwriter discussed their decision several years ago to stop taking selfies with fans. Smith said the choice was made to protect their privacy, but it also took an emotional toll.

“I felt like I was upsetting people all day,” Smith said, explaining that the situation contributed to depression.

Therapy has since helped Smith see their relationship with fans differently. The 34-year-old singer said they have started to enjoy meeting people again and feel better equipped to handle the demands of being famous.

“I actually have started to find the happiness and the joy of meeting people. I’m a healthy person right now, so I’m able to juggle more,” they said.

Smith also reflected on how much pressure they faced while growing up in the spotlight. They became famous at a young age and publicly navigated their identity as a gay person before announcing in 2019 that they would use they/them pronouns.

“The trajectory of fame that I went through at such a young age, and trying to navigate my life as a gay person, then changing my pronouns — the weight of doing that so publicly in my 20s meant that I could juggle less,” Smith said.

Their comments come just days before the release of their fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, due out Aug. 21.

Smith has also spoken about the personal side of the new record. During an appearance on The New Yorker Radio Hour earlier this month, they described the album as a love letter to their fiancé, Christian Cowan.

“He’s been so beautiful and encouraging through the whole process of this record,” Smith said.

At the same time, Smith acknowledged the challenge of deciding how much of their private life to share publicly. “How much do you share?” they said, adding that they did not want to reveal too much, even though the album is closely connected to Cowan and their relationship.

Smith has previously described fame as one of the biggest challenges of their life. In a 2022 interview on BBC Radio 2’s First and Last, they said fame had “turned” their life upside down.

“It is this horrible one as you can’t moan about it as I know I am very, very lucky to be in my position, but life does get turned on its head,” they said.

Now, Smith appears to be finding a more comfortable way to live with that reality — protecting their privacy while also making room for the connection with fans that comes with being one of pop music’s most recognizable performers.