Sam Smith says Lady Gaga inspired them to come out as non-binary: 'She gave me permission to be myself’
Sam Smith has credited Lady Gaga with helping them to come out as non-binary.
In the latest episode of Vogueâs Beauty Secrets video series, the singer opened up about their gender identity and the part that Gagaâs 2008 album The Fame played.
âI was 15 when The Fame came out and I was obsessed with Lady Gaga,â Smith said.
âFor me, she gave me complete permission to be myself and to be proud of my queerness. It was a form of expression, but it was also weirdly a form of protection.â
The âTo Die Forâ singer added that Gagaâs music felt like a âform of protectionâ from bullies.
âIt was a way of almost saying to the homophobes and the bullies: âStay away from me, because Iâm confident and Iâm powerful in my queernessâ,â they explained.
During the video, in which Smith detailed their skincare and make-up routine, they also reflected on how important beauty has been to their gender expression.
âWhen I hit 14, 15, I started to question my gender and started to really want to express myself in ways I felt like I said to as a form of survival,â they said.
âMake-up for me was the way to do that.â
They explained how they used to feel "left outâ as a teenager when their female friends would go to make-up stores, adding: âI was like, this shop isnât for me, makeup isnât for me.â
However, Smith explained that one of their friends helped them realise that make-up can be for everyone.
âIt doesnât matter what gender you are, itâs a form of expression and it feels nice,â they said.
âTo have that time and take that time each day to touch your face and put things on your face I think itâs really special.â
After coming out, Smith said their passion for beauty was reignited, adding: âLast year, when I changed my pronouns and really spoke out about my gender expression and my gender fluidity, I started falling in love with make-up all over again.â
In September 2019, Smith came out as non-binary on social media and revealed that they would be using they and them pronouns going forward.
âToday is a good day so here goes. I've decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I've decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out,â Smith wrote at the time.
âI'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.â
They continued: âI 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.â
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