September 10, 2014
Sam Smith Backpedals on 'Gay Spokesman' Comments
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Earlier this month, U.K. singer Sam Smith made headlines when he told the Digital Spy he didn't want to be a spokesperson for the LGBTQ community. Now the new pop star is clarifying his statements in an Australian website, saying his comments were taken out of context (via Idolator).
"I'm not trying to be a spokesperson," he told Digital Spy in a Sept. 2 article. "It sounds awful of me, but I'm really just trying to live my life and write music about it."
But in a Tuesday article on Australian site News.com.au, Smith, 22, clarifies his remarks, pretty much saying the opposite of his initial comments.
"Of course I want to be a spokesman for the gay community," the "Stay With Me" singer said. "I want to be a spokesman for everyone. What I meant was I don't want to limit to just one community, I want to reach everyone, gay people, lesbians, transsexuals, straight people, Catholics, anyone. I want my music to hit everyone."
The soulful singer also discussed his coming to terms with being gay at a young age and how fans have accepted him.
Smith also made headlines last month when he told the British newspaper the Metro that social media apps like Grindr and Tindr are "ruining romance" and urged fans to delete them.
Sam said:
No offense to people who go on Tinder but I just feel like it's ruining romance, I really do. We're losing the art of conversation and being able to go and speak to people and you're swiping people...From my experience the most beautiful people I've been on dates with are the dumbest, so why would I swipe people who are "unattractive" when I could potentially fall in love with them? Stop Tinder and Grindr!
Some, especially in the LGBTQ community, took issue with Sam's remarks. Gawker writer Rich Juzwiak wrote about the singer's comments with the headline "Sam Smith's Fucked-Up Gay Conservatism" and the Wire's Kevin O'Keeffe wrote a piece titled "Why is Sam Smith Trying to Eliminate Grindr Culture?"
Smith's debut album "In the Lonely Hour" dropped in June, speaking at no. 2 on Billboard. His single "Stay With Me" peaked at no. 2 on Billboard's single's chart and has shot to stardom.
Watch the music video for "Stay With Me" below:
