Sam Smith on gender identity: I identify as non-binary

Image
Press Trust of India Los Angeles
Last Updated : Mar 16 2019 | 4:15 PM IST

Singer Sam Smith has opened up about his gender identity, saying that he identifies as a "non-binary".

In an interview with Jameela Jamil for her new series, "I Weigh Interviews", the 26-year-old Grammy winner said he came to realisation about his identity when he read the stories of other people.

"I've sometimes sat and questioned, do I want a sex change? It's something I still think about: 'Do I want to?' I don't think it is," Smith said.

"When I saw the nonbinary, genderqueer, and I read into it, and I heard these people speaking, I was like, 'F***, that is me'," he added.

The "Stay with Me" singer also explained what "non-binary, genderqueer" identity means to him.

"Non-binary/genderqueer is that you do not identify in a gender. You are a mixture of all different things. You are your own special creation. That's how I take it. I am not male or female. I think I float somewhere in between. It's all on the spectrum," he said.

During the interview, Smith also shed a light on his struggles with body image.

"When I was a kid, I was chubby... and then it would get worse and worse and worse and I was holding a lot of weight in my chest. When I hit 11 years old, I went to the doctor's. I was so self-conscious that it was affecting my mood every day," he said.

He revealed that he had liposuction when he was 12-years-old.

"At the time I think I was very happy about it. It didn't really change anything. I think I put the weight back on in two weeks because I hadn't figured out my relationship with food, so it didn't really change anything. But being 12 years old and having liposuction on your chest is quite a big deal," he added.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 16 2019 | 4:15 PM IST

Next Story