Sam Smith is now embroiled in a dispute as a result of the release of their music video.
The music video for the singer's song, "I'm Not Here To Make Friends," 30, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, has drawn criticism for "normalizing pornography" in popular culture. His supporters, though, are praising it as "empowering."
A discussion about whether the "hyper-sexualized" music video should be age-restricted on YouTube due of its purportedly explicit nature has arisen.
It demonstrates the British singer-songwriter flying into a castle and dancing to many artists decked out in corsets, suspenders, and nipple tassels. The "Stay With Me" singer is also splashed with water from a fountain.
In other sequences, dancers are shown dancing provocatively, slowly laying on a bed while just wearing black leather underwear, and subsequently encircling Sam.
The music video for Sam Smith, according to British writer Alex Phillips, is "unhealthy" for society and in some places is comparable to "extreme hardcore porn."
He told "Good Morning Britain," "The point is that teenagers and young people are the audience who are watching these things and it doesn't come with a block."
Even five-year-old children may look up Sam's music video and view it without any limits, according to influencer Oli London.
He called out the singer, saying, "This is not art. This is not trendy. This is not empowering. This is monstrous."
When describing his song video as "empowering," a Twitter user advised the artist that "less is more" and that this is "a sign of these chaotic times."
Others defended the Grammy-winning performer, pointing out that women had accomplished this in the past. The only difference is that Sam is subject to criticism since he is a male at birth. He attacked female singers who released similar music videos for being hypocritical.
"We are not used to seeing people who are designated male at birth dancing about in lingerie and corsets and things like that," British radio host Shivani Dave remarked.
He added that when performers like Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, and Madonna revealed their performances, there was less controversy than there was surrounding Sam Smith's music video.
A Twitter user also said they see no difference between the "I'm Not the Only One" singer and a woman "doing the same thing" - "it is what it is. They're living their best life," the social media fan said.
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