Sam Smith has had a whirlwind year, going from "that guy who sings on that Disclosure song" to a full-on superstar. Interestingly, the transition happened with little talk of his sexuality. It wasn't until the June issue of The Fader that his sexuality was even brought up. Even then, Smith considered it a non-issue. But not everyone feels that way. While doing a countdown of radio's top songs, Howard Stern voiced his surprise over Smith's success while also giving him a backhanded compliment.
"You know what I like about the guy?" he said on his show (via USA Today). "He's an ugly (expletive). He's fat. ... Is he gay? He looks gay to me, not that anybody looks gay, but he does seem effeminate. ... I like that he's chubby and gay. That's why I love him. He's one of those guys I feel like, he's really good but I feel like that will be his only hit song -- beautiful voice. That's how good that song is. He's fat and he's gay and little girls worship him. That's when you know you have a good song and a good voice. .. I'd like to get him in here to congratulate him on beating the odds. He's like the male Adele."
Somewhere between the insults, Stern seems to be trying to say the British R&B crooner is talented enough that factors that could be working against him, such as being "fat," "ugly," and "gay," don't play into his success.
Smith has not officially commented on Stern's remarks, though fans are pointing to two Twitter posts as a cryptic response.
"Can't believe what I've just read," he wrote, adding, "Ignore."
As for Stern's comments about Smith being a one-hit wonder, we'd argue the opposite. Just look at his Grammy nominations. His debut album In the Lonely Hour is currently nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, his hit "Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)" is up for Song of the Year and Best Solo Performance, and he himself is up for Best New Artist.
What do you think of Stern's comments? Sound off in the comments section below!
