Sam Smith came out as gay in May 2014 ahead of the release of his first album. In anticipation of his sophomore release, the powerful singer is opening up about his gender identity.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Sam shared his fascination with makeup and heels. “People don’t know this, but when I was 17, I remember becoming obsessed with Boy George and Marilyn [Monroe], and all that,” he said. “There was one moment in my life where I didn’t own a piece of male clothing, really. I would wear full make-up every day in school, eyelashes, leggings with Dr Martens and huge fur coats, for 2.5 years.”
And now? “I love a heel. I’ve got loads of heels at home.”
His interviewer pressed further, asking if he identified as cisgender. (“Cisgender” refers to a person whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned when they were born.) Sam pointed out the two Venus symbols he has tattooed on his fingers. “No. I mean, I’ve got these tattoos on my fingers.”
He elaborated, “I don’t know what the title would be, but I feel just as much woman as I am man.”
Much respect to Sam for talking about his gender identity and representing those who don’t identify as cisgender.