It isn’t uncommon for musicians to face backlash for their outfits, performances, or musical style. Now non-binary musician Sam Smith is facing backlash for the outfits they’ve chosen to wear during their ongoing Gloria world tour.
As you can see below, Sam Smith has chosen to wear outfits that some users are calling “unholy” and “disgusting.” The skimpy outfits include nipple pasties while adding religious imagery such as devil horns. Obviously such things are bound to provoke a negative response from some people.
Now you can see some of their responses below. They include claims that Sam Smith has gone “too far” in their attire. In fact, one user even claims that “this is not art, this is not classy,” and that it’s just “attention grabbing.” Some also called the performance “disturbing” and “gross”. Here are the posts:
Fans roast Sam Smith for his latest outfit choice at live performance pic.twitter.com/jgMxcEHrbD
— No Jumper (@nojumper) April 14, 2023
Sam Smith is grotesque beyond words.
Young children sat in the audience watching him do this. pic.twitter.com/5mFv5dIwuB
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 13, 2023
@samsmith UNHOLY #GloriaTheTour #GLORIA #samsmith pic.twitter.com/CSxkl7ZSPY
— WADE (@_Wad3_) April 12, 2023
@samsmith it’s so sad that you can’t see how utterly disturbing and gross you have become. You need Jesus!
— Leyla Suleyman (@LeylaSuleyman5) April 15, 2023
Warning, Sam Smith is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/wslLEmQahS
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_the_Dr) April 13, 2023
Where is this Sam Smith we used to know this guy went too far… pic.twitter.com/Ezyxlj12bV
— Ally (@eatsandstay) April 14, 2023
I am so glad I stopped listening to #SamSmith because of his increasingly disturbing behavior. This is not art, this is not classy, this is attention grabbing filth which only tarnished his reputation sadly. https://t.co/VhPVsTbBi4
— sarah masters (@sarahemasters) April 14, 2023
Can Twitter quit putting Sam smith on my Tl. Tired of almost throwing up. #wtf
— Luis (@ernie1870) April 15, 2023
No it’s demonic to have a stage show that honors satan like Sam Smith does.
— 7️⃣0️⃣ (@himenokuri) April 15, 2023
Sam Smith needs an intervention immediately! He’s possessed, there’s absolutely nothing good gonna come out of glorifying the Devil! He needs to stop! It’s really disturbing.
— Marthaj2*28 (@marthajp) April 14, 2023
Sam Smith is receiving backlash for his strip tease performance at his all ages show for an audience with fans as young as 5-years-old pic.twitter.com/dCK1GHAVtn
— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) April 14, 2023
This is disgusting and disturbing. #DevilSamSmith #SamSmith #WeNeedGod https://t.co/Dz6stEZe3M
— Kentucky Love (@LuvLee502) April 15, 2023
@samsmith the disgusting actions you showed on stage in front of CHILDREN is disturbing and concerning. The sooner your cancelled the better.
— ⛦ (@OnlyTims1888) April 14, 2023
Sam Smith before & after the industry turned him into a satan worshipper.. sad really but he isn’t the first. pic.twitter.com/5ZIhj1PmKz
— Tommy (@Mania___T) April 14, 2023
Demonic Sam Smith is BACK!
Hollywood it literally PRAISING satan in front of your children! pic.twitter.com/bJwqxfJAfd
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) April 14, 2023
Can we help you #SamSmith or is it too late .. step away from Satan pic.twitter.com/TrzIVl0hgz
— Emma ✝️ (@Emma34770971) April 13, 2023
The music industry is utterly demonic and not safe for kids anymore.
For Sam Smith to perform like this to a crowd with children is something that should be questioned. If a stranger came up to kids in the street and did this you’d call the police, so what’s the difference??? pic.twitter.com/tkskQ02tnf— Gracie (@Gracie_M1984) April 14, 2023
On that note, not everyone felt the same about Smith’s outfits. In fact, there were quite a few users that defended their unique style. Here are some of their own posts which believe that Smith’s act is nothing more than “entertainment” and that the haters “need to get a grip.”
People coming for Sam Smith for their “provocative and satanic” show need to get a grip. Where were you all when Madonna, Britney, Christina, Lil Nas X etc. were doing similar? It’s entertainment. If you don’t wanna see it, don’t watch it. #SamSmith pic.twitter.com/sHsWAYAOE4
— Ryan J Hamshaw (@ryanhamshaw) April 14, 2023
I don’t even like Sam Smith but the hate they get is unnecessary. The argument of sexualisation is redundant argument to hide behind internalised homophobia. We grew up on my neck my back, S&M and WAP — I struggle to believe anyone is as offended by Sam Smith as they make out. pic.twitter.com/qjyG1xS3NV
— RYAN (@RG4V02) April 14, 2023
Not to look like a massive sam smith stan but how can you not be proud to see a person be so unapologetically happy with themselves? I say good for them! https://t.co/rWK83lDtED
— R4TTY (@LewisRatkovic) April 15, 2023
Sam Smith and Lizzo pisses people off because they’re used to fat people covering up.
I absolutely love that they’re showing off their bodies the same way thin entertainers get to. More power to them!
— Andrew (@AsAndrewSpeaks) April 13, 2023
a LOT of transphobia & fatphobia in these comments for what? bc sam smith has more confidence and self-love than y’all do LOL smh https://t.co/sFWIQf9M2D
— aeth ψ(｀∇´)ψ (@eighthrr) April 15, 2023
if you don’t like sam smith, don’t listen and stop disturbing us. it’s like the lil nas X outrage, no one is making you listen.
— Khraen (@Ore_Yusuf) April 14, 2023
Musicians have been doing raunchy/revealing/risqué stage shows for fucking EVER, so don’t act like it’s something new and uniquely corrupting.
The only reason you don’t like Sam Smith doing it is because they’re queer and fat, which is very much a you problem.
— Based Brenda ️️⚧️ (they/them) (@SpillerOfTea) April 14, 2023
Of course, Smith shared their own statement on social media, albeit not one directed to any criticism. Rather, Smith was quite pleased with how the show turned out.
“Sheffield, that was a dream,” Smith writes on Twitter. “Such a magical way to start the Gloria experience. Thank you for coming out and lifting us up x”
Sheffield, that was a dream. Such a magical way to start the Gloria experience. Thank you for coming out and lifting us up xhttps://t.co/ZpHtLnfpK7 pic.twitter.com/nItycqV55e
— SAM SMITH (@samsmith) April 14, 2023
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional Sam Smith updates or other such music industry news as we have it. Though Smith has yet to comment officially on the criticisms, it seems likely these are some of the reactions they were hoping for, especially with using such provocative imagery in the first place. As always, artists tend to aim for strong reactions with their work, and Smith has certainly earned their fair share.