Sam Smith Coming Out Puts Him At Center Of Attention

Singer-songwriter Sam Smith has been a hot topic since he recently came out as gay. The soul artist, who you may know from his SNL appearance or his chart-topping single “Stay With Me,” publicly acknowledged his sexual orientation in a May interview with The Fader, saying:

“‘In The Lonely Hour’ is about a guy that I fell in love with last year, and he didn’t love me back… It’s all there now, and I can move on and hopefully find a guy who can love me the way I love him… I am comfortable with myself, and my life is amazing in that respect. I’m very comfortable and happy with everything.”

When asked about the coming out process, Smith said:

“I’ve been treated as normal as anyone in my life; I’ve had no issues… I want to make it a normality because this is a non-issue. People wouldn’t ask a straight person these questions… I’m not in this industry to talk about my personal life unless it’s in a musical form… Why is [my sexuality] a talking point? I’m singing, I’m making music, I’m performing my music—that’s what should be the talking point.”

While Smith feels that his art transcends his sexuality, the media apparently does not. Since his coming out, Sam has been in lots of headlines. This is nothing new, as coming out has put many other celebrities, such as Ellen Page and Michael Sam, into the news. Fellow gay musician Adam Lambert recently spoke to Daily Star, saying:

“Sam is going through that process of having his sexuality dissected and talked about. It’s hard because even though things have changed a lot since I came out it’s still a drama or talking point. He told me he has never had an issue about his sexuality until now because everyone is making such a big deal about it which is crazy.”

Sam gives the following advice to those looking to come out:

“Just be yourself. Don’t make it an issue… Let’s make it a normality… To make it equal, we need to act equal. Everyone just needs to focus on themselves as individuals and do what makes them happy – and be brave… Listen to my record. It might help you.”

Do you agree with Lambert that the media is overbearing on Sam Smith and other celebrities who come out? Are you supportive of Sam Smith wanting to keep his personal and artistic lives separate? Let us know in the comments.

[Image via Fred Jacobs]