Sam Smith Says Their Body Dysmorphia Helped Them Realize Non-Binary Identity

Sam Smith says their body dysmorphia helped them come to terms with their gender identity.

Talking with The Sunday Times, the singer opened up about their pronouns and how they've learned to accept their body.

“For me, what triggered everything was the work I was doing with my body issues,” the 28-year-old said. “I always had body dysmorphia. As I started to address that, I started to address my gender and realized that I was holding myself to these ideals of how a man should look."

“As I looked into it, I did therapy, I realized there was more to it,” they continued. “I have girl’s thighs and I have girl breasts too. It started to awaken this conversation that had always been in the back of my mind.”

Smith spoke about their "fluctuating body," which allowed them to lose 50 pounds after seeing a nutritionist.

"I can lose weight, I can put weight on quickly, I am a shape-shifter," Smith said.

The English singer also opened up about their love-hate relationship with fame.

“Fame means I can get certain messages across, which is a wonderful thing … but it’s very invasive," they said. "I was 21 when fame happened and my whole world changed. I didn’t realize how much of a homebody I was and how much I loved my privacy."

"You can’t go back," they continued. "I have gotten used to it and am aware of how lucky I am, but I have to be cautious. I remember I got papped when I was 22. I have always looked at myself with affection no matter how big or small I am, but I saw the picture and I felt ashamed. So now I don’t look at pictures or read anything about me, good or bad.”

As for whether the singer has a partner, Smith says they're "on the front line."

“I’m not looking, but I am hoping — it is like wading through water and trying to catch a fish with your bare hands," they said. "I am just sitting by the side of the pond now. Being single during lockdown was not fun. I spent it with my sister and felt very lucky because we get along so well.”

The "Diamonds" singer first came out as non-binary in May 2019. Six months later, the British pop star, 28, changed their pronouns to “they/them” in an emotional Instagram post, sharing a photo of the words: “MY PRONOUNS ARE THEY / THEM.”

“Today is a good day so here goes," Smith added in the caption. “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender, I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.

“I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think but f— it! I understand there will be many mistakes and misgendering but all I ask is you please please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.”

The star is set to drop their new album Love Goes on Oct. 30.

"I'm extremely happy and overjoyed to announce my third album (I can't believe I'm saying that) Love Goes," Smith wrote on Instagram in September. "This album marks a time of experimentation and self-discovery in my life."