15+ Sam Smith Facts you Didn’t Know Until Now

Updated Apr 7, 2020

Sam has captured the hearts of many with their dreamy vocals, passionate music and captivating lyrics. But there’s so much more to this superstar that deserves to be known – from their history as a toilet scrubber (yes!) to their identity as non-binary.

If you’re a superfan and want to know more about the British singer with killer vocals, look no further! Here we uncover 16 Sam Smith facts you probably didn’t know until now…

1. Sam Identifies as Non-Binary

In 2019, Sam got real honest about their identity when they came out as non-binary. In an honest Instagram post, Sam wrote, “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.” They told Jameela Jamil that they are “not male or female, I think I flow somewhere in between.” Sam also revealed that they wanted to be referred to as “they/them”.

2. Sam Knew They Were Gay at the Age of Four

Sam Smith has been very open about their sexuality since coming into the spotlight. They didn’t want to leave any questions unanswered and came out publicly as soon as their album was released, and once disclosing a relationship with Jonathan Zeizel in 2014. That said, Sam came to terms with their sexuality from a young age – “I came out when I was like 4 years old. My mum said she knew when I was like 3. I didn’t have to actually properly come out,” they told Ellen DeGeneres. Sam also admitted to being gay at just ten years of age when they were confronted by a classmate. Despite being bullied about their gender preference, Sam didn’t let it bother them and had many friends to support them.

3. ‘Scars’ Brought Their Family Closer Together

Sam Smith bases their songs on relationships with friends and family, but the song Scars is the most personal one they’ve written yet and is a song that brought their family closer together. The song discusses Sam’s parent’s divorce and how their mum and dad helped them deal with the side-effects of their split. It’s a nod to the great team that they still are and how they have managed to stay together as parents, even though they are no longer romantically linked.

4. Sam Worked at a Bar Before Making It in Music

Here’s some trivia about Sam that will make you love them even more! Before Sam made it in the music business, they were scrubbing toilets in a bar. To remember where they came from and remain grounded and humble, the singer never forgets the dirty jobs they did to make ends meet…

5. Sam Wants to Be a Florist

If Sam didn’t make it as a singer, they would have liked to have been a florist, as they make him feel happy. Those dreams aren’t completely off the cards yet; Sam told Teen Vogue that they’d like to retire and open a flower shop in Italy – how cute!

6. Sam Owns a Strange Statue

We always knew Sam was funny! They once admitted that the weirdest item they own is a statue that they purchased in Belgium which is a camel with a baby’s head on it. He knows it’s odd, but absolutely loves it. Yet another fun fact that makes us love the singer a little more!

7. Sam Spends Most of Their Money on Food

When quizzed by Buzzfeed about what they spend their money on, Sam Smith admitted that besides buying a house, they actually spend all of their money on food! That money definitely isn’t going on pizza; however, because the singer hates most pizza toppings and only eats slices that have fish on them! That’s good to hear as this celebrity has previously suffered from an eating disorder.

8. Sam Loves Getting Inked

Sam Smith loves getting meaningful minimal tattoos. So far, they have an equality sign on their wedding finger; on their other hand, they have an Egyptian symbol; they also have a promise symbol and the word ‘honesty’ written on their forearm.

9. Sam’s Inspired by Judy Garland and Lady Gaga

Although two very different artists, Sam Smith has admitted that they’re “obsessed” with Judy Garland and told Buzzfeed that if they could be anyone, alive or dead, it would be her. Sam has also revealed that they’re incredibly influenced by the likes of Lady Gaga, as well as Amy Winehouse, Adele and Chirstina Aguilera.

10. Sam Studied at Musical Theatre

Sam is a trained Jazz singer and studied at the Youth Music Theatre before they explored musical theatre. They pursued musical theatre for four years while they were at school, but they never landed any big roles, and was mainly in the chorus. Lucky for us, Sam found their true calling as a solo artist shortly after.

11. Sam’s Favorite Holiday Destination is Italy

Sam may be British and spend a lot of time in the U.S, but their real love lies elsewhere. If you haven’t already gathered from their retirement plan, Sam adores Italy. They love the food, the people and the atmosphere and just adores being in Tuscany. Don’t we all, Sam?

12. Sam’s Related to Lily Allen

Here’s an interesting fact you probably never knew! Sam Smith is the third cousin to Lily and Alfie Allen! Although distant relatives, Sam is very close with the Allens and we’ve seen this through numerous snaps of Lily and Sam. She was once so happy that Sam won BBC’s Sound of 2014, that she tweeted before the results were aired – oops.

Check out more celebrities that are related!

13. Sam won an Oscar

Sam Smith’s theme track for the 2016 Bond movie was so good that – of course – it won an Academy Award. The song is so spectacular that it was the first ever Bond tune to get a number 1 spot on the charts.

14. They Suffer From OCD

Sam is very open about his battle with OCD and talks about his mental health disorder with his fans on Twitter. A few of his habits include checking all the taps in his house and switching every plug off. He has tried many methods to overcome his disorder and swears by hypnotherapy to help alleviate his symptoms.

15. Sam is a Renowned Feminist

Sam Smith considers themselves a feminist and feels very strongly about women’s rights and equality. This is largely due to the fact that they were raised by a single mum, and spent their entire life surrounded by strong and positive women who helped shape their outlook on life.

16. They Contracted Coronavirus

Sam is yet another celebrity to have COVID-19. Although they chose not to get tested during the pandemic, Sam did reveal that an interview with Zane Lowe that they believed they had the virus. “I didn’t get tested, but I know I have it. I’m just going to assume that I did because everything I’ve read completely pointed to that. So yeah, I think I definitely had it,” they said.

Clearly, Sam Smith isn’t just a super talented singer and songwriter, but also a great role model for many people struggling with their identity or relationships. Now you know a little more about the star, you’ll see that they’re just an ordinary guy, trying to express their emotions through music and make a positive impact on the world.

What’s your favorite fact about Sam Smith? Join in on the conversation below and let us know!