From a happy-go-lucky kid to global music icon, the inspiring evolution of Sam Smith
Samuel Frederick Smith, widely recognized as Sam Smith, is an English singer and songwriter. They made an initial splash in the music industry in October 2012, when they were featured on Disclosure’s hit single 'Latch'. The 31-year-old, who is non-binary and uses gender-neutral pronouns, has experienced a remarkable metamorphosis over the years. From a charming youngster in primary school in 2001, to a dazzling superstar at Capital’s Summertime Ball in 2013, and eventually a fitness devotee in 2017, Sam’s evolution has been truly motivational. In 2014, Sam sported a sleek all-black suit and sunglasses, setting serious fashion goals. By 2015, they had started consulting with a nutritionist and shed 14 pounds in a mere two weeks. Despite the weight loss, Sam grappled with body image concerns. Nevertheless, as time passed, Sam embraced and cherished their body. They’ve once expressed that "it’s not even about weight loss, it’s about feeling happy in yourself". Sam now continues to motivate millions with their music and their journey towards self-love.
2001: Charming young Sam Smith
Sam was simply endearing as a child with an innocent demeanor. So sweet!
2003: Extremely delighted school-going Sam Smith
As a child, Sam Smith of course had no idea he was going to be famous and had many years to go before they made their mark in the music industry. But their trademark grin is still recognizable in this early photograph. The 'Writing's On The Wall' hitmaker actually looks quite pleased about going to primary school in 2003.
2013: Sam Smith embarks on musical career
Sam embarked on their musical journey with a collab with Disclosure for their single 'Latch' in October 2012. Following this, they were featured on Naughty Boy’s 'La La La', marking Sam’s first number-one single in May 2013. By June, Sam had graduated to performing at prominent venues such as London’s Wembley Stadium, where the British singer was pictured before their performance at the Capital Summertime Ball. In September, the artist behind 'Stay With Me' graced the stage at the yearly English music festival, Bestival, held on the Isle of Wight. Sam reportedly unveiled their debut EP, named 'Nirvana' the following month.
2015: Sam Smith wins 4 Grammy awards
Following the release of their four-track EP in October 2013, Sam received nominations for two Brit Awards and was included in the BBC’s 'Sound of 2014' poll. In January, they made their first appearance at the Brit Awards and claimed one of the two awards for which they were nominated. Sam reportedly secured the 2014 Brit Critics’ Choice Award, marking the beginning of their impressive record of victories at major music award shows. Then 25-year-old Sam's sophisticated red suit was the ideal ensemble for the singer’s inaugural Grammy Awards, where they triumphed. Besides delivering a performance at the 57th Grammy Awards, Sam clinched four out of the six categories they were nominated for. Following their appearance at the Grammys, the 'I’m Not the Only One' reportedly overhauled their diet and progressively appeared leaner throughout 2015. This was yet another monumental year for the British artist, who bagged two awards at the 2015 Brit Awards and three Billboard music awards. Sam had risen to stardom by the end of the year and was now sporting facial hair.
2016: Sam Smith's new look
In February 2016, Sam flaunted a noticeably trimmer physique, more facial hair, and a buzz-cut hairstyle at the 88th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood. That evening, they were awarded the Oscar for Best Original Song for 'Writing’s on the Wall', a track they both penned and performed for the James Bond film, 'Spectre'. Sam even performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April of that year.
2017 and 2018: Sam Smith's fashion experiments and fitness journey
The year 2017 was not only a milestone in Sam’s musical journey but also marked their commitment to personal health and fitness. Sam underwent a significant personal transformation. They shed 50 pounds over a span of two years and embraced the lifestyle of a self-proclaimed "gym junkie". Meanwhile, their career blossomed. They unveiled their second studio album, 'The Thrill of It All', in November, which topped the album charts in both the UK and the US. The album’s lead single, 'Too Good at Goodbyes', clinched the number one spot in the UK and Australia and ranked fourth in the US. By 2018, Sam showcased a leaner physique and started experimenting with their fashion sense, opting for more flamboyant suits. They also started incorporating heels into their wardrobe and began applying make-up for red carpet appearances, per Daily Mail. During their Sydney tour, Sam confidently sported a pair of red high heels, a lycra bodysuit, and a ruffled skirt in an Instagram post.
2019: Sam Smith's path to self-discovery
Sam Smith joined forces with Calvin Harris for the hit single 'Promises' and collaborated with Normani on 'Dancing with a Stranger', both of which garnered widespread acclaim. In addition to these partnerships, Sam unveiled their solo single 'How Do You Sleep?' in the summer of 2019. Later in the year, they also released a rendition of Donna Summer’s classic 'I Feel Love'. All these tracks are included in their third album, 'Love Goes' (2020). On a personal front, Sam publicly identified as non-binary in 2019 on X (formerly Twitter), signifying a crucial step in their journey towards self-discovery and self-acceptance.
2023: Sam Smith at 2023 Brit Awards
Sam Smith made significant strides in their music career in 2023. They launched their fourth studio album, 'Gloria', on January 27, which was bolstered by four hit singles: 'Love Me More', 'Unholy', 'Gimme', and 'I'm Not Here to Make Friends'. The track 'Unholy' reportedly emerged as the album’s most successful single, topping charts in multiple countries and securing the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. Sam also embarked on 'GLORIA The Tour' in 2023 alongside their other musical endeavors. At the 2023 Brit Awards, they turned heads with their attire, a striking inflatable latex jumpsuit.
