Samuel Frederick Smith, born May 19, 1992, in London, is an English singer and songwriter. They grew up in Great Chishill, Cambridgeshire, and began singing at a young age, taking part in musical theater productions. Inspired by Lady Gaga's career, Smith moved to London at eighteen to focus on music. Their breakthrough came in 2012 when they featured on Disclosure's single "Latch," which peaked at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart. The following year, their collaboration with Naughty Boy on "La La La" reached number one in the UK.
Career Breakthrough with "In the Lonely Hour"
In 2014, Sam Smith released their debut album, "In the Lonely Hour," which became a global success. The album featured the hit singles "Stay with Me," "I'm Not the Only One," and "Lay Me Down." "In the Lonely Hour" earned Smith four Grammy Awards in 2015 for Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Album. The album also set a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive weeks in the UK top 10 for a debut album.
James Bond Theme and Continued Success
In 2015, Smith co-wrote and performed "Writing's on the Wall," the theme song for the James Bond film "Spectre." The song won both a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. This made it the first James Bond theme to reach number one in the UK.
"The Thrill of It All"
Smith's second studio album, "The Thrill of It All," was released in 2017 and debuted at number one in both the UK and the US. The lead single, "Too Good at Goodbyes," reached number one in the UK and Australia and number four in the US. The album also included the soulful track "Pray" and "One Last Song."
Personal Journey and "Gloria"
Coming Out as Non-Binary
In October 2017, Smith came out as genderqueer, and in September 2019, they announced that they are non-binary and use they/them pronouns. Smith has been open about their struggles with body image and their journey of self-acceptance. They have stated that embracing their gender identity has brought them a sense of freedom.
"Gloria" Album
Their fourth studio album, "Gloria," was released in 2023. The album features the hit single "Unholy," a collaboration with Kim Petras, which reached number one in the US and UK. This achievement made Smith and Petras the first openly non-binary and transgender artists, respectively, to top the Billboard Hot 100. "Unholy" also won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The album showcases a mix of pop, disco, and R&B and has been described by Smith as a "personal, sexual and spiritual liberation."
Accolades
Throughout their career, Sam Smith has received numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award.