Sam Smith, the 32-year-old pop sensation known for hits like “Stay with Me,” “I’m Not the Only One,” and “Dancing with a Stranger,” has recently faced backlash after being repeatedly misgendered during an appearance on a UK TV show.
Smith, who publicly came out as non-binary in 2019 and prefers they/them pronouns, has long been at the center of controversy—whether due to their performance at the Grammys, which some critics labeled “satanic,” or their bold fashion choices at the Brits. However, their recent experience with being misgendered on national TV has sparked fresh criticism.
In a heartfelt post shared on social media, Smith explained their decision to embrace their true self after years of grappling with their gender identity: “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender, I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.” They also acknowledged that while mistakes would happen, they simply asked for people to make an effort to understand them and their identity. Smith further stated: “I’m not yet able to speak in depth about what being non-binary means to me, but I look forward to the day when I can.”
Despite their call for respect and understanding, Smith continues to be misgendered by the media. On a recent episode of The One Show, host Alex Jones made the same mistake, prompting Smith to correct her with humor: “I’d be any type of fisher-them. One day, I’d just like to end my days fishing.”
The misgendering didn’t stop there. At the Grammys, a reporter referred to Smith using male pronouns while discussing their evolving look, further igniting criticism. In another instance, Bob Geldof made the same mistake while on This Morning, referring to Smith repeatedly with male pronouns despite the artist’s clear request for they/them.
In a radio interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music’s New Music Daily, Smith discussed the challenges of being misgendered, saying, “It’s hard for people to change their vocabulary. It takes time. Everyone messes up. I’m going to be misgendered for the rest of my life. It’s going to take a long time for people to stop using gender in their everyday speech.”
While Sam Smith understands that misgendering is part of the process of public acceptance, they also highlighted how meaningful it is when others respect their pronouns. “When people use my pronouns correctly, it’s a wonderful feeling. I feel seen, I feel safe, and I feel happy.”
Advocates for trans equality emphasize the importance of using the correct pronouns and avoiding assumptions based on appearance. This support extends to ensuring that non-binary individuals have the right to feel safe and recognized, especially in gendered spaces.
In another recent instance, following their red carpet appearance at the Barbie movie premiere, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly made headlines for misgendering Smith multiple times on her talk show. Discussing Smith’s outfit, Kelly referred to them with male pronouns, saying, “Oh, he’s dressed down,” and “It’s a bit big for him.”
While Kelly’s guest, Vogue Williams, made an effort to use the correct pronouns, fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with Kelly’s repeated mistakes. One fan wrote: “I guess Lorraine didn’t get the memo about Sam Smith and their chosen pronouns, awkward.” Others noted how uncomfortable Williams appeared during the conversation, trying to correct Kelly without success.
After receiving backlash, Kelly addressed the criticism, acknowledging her mistake with a heartfelt apology: “Fair comment. Not in the least intentional, but I will take it on board – thanks for bringing it to my attention.”
As public figures like Smith continue to advocate for visibility and respect for non-binary people, the conversations around gender identity remain vital for creating understanding and a more inclusive environment for all.
