Sam Smith is embarking on a new journey with their life and music career through the release of their new studio album, "Gloria."
The album is definitely shocking and thought-provoking, which is probably why when he released the music video for "I'm Not Here to Make Friends," it caused quite a stir on social media-and not the good kind.
Netizens criticized Smith for releasing their "hyper-sexualized" and "vile" music video without age restrictions, citing that he was wearing nipple pasties, no pants, and was partaking in what alluded to be a golden shower.
As a response to the haters, the "Unholy" singer took to Instagram to share topless pictures of themself, with just black, heart-shaped nipple pasties, pearl jewelry, and a pair of high-waisted bottoms.
Although captioned with simply a black heart emoji, fans instantly knew what the singer was trying to convey in their post.
After the wave of backlash, Smith's fans have now emerged and come to hit back at the 30-year-old singer's haters on social media, by defending the music video and the double standards seemingly imposed on Smith.
READ MORE: Adam Levine, Behati Prinsloo Welcome New Baby After Cheating Scandal: Is Sumner The Name?
Double Standards
According to Page Six, numerous fans pointed out that the "I Know I'm Not The Only One" singer is, in fact, not the only one who has released a provocative and suggestive music video-like Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, and more.
They accused the haters of having double standards and blamed it on people's skewed perception of body image and sexual orientation.
"The backlash against Sam Smith is absolutely about people not wanting people to be overtly sexual unless they're skinny," a Twitter user wrote.
"I really don't get the outrage over Sam Smith's music video. What's different between them doing a video like this and when more or less every single female pop star does?! (Also, do people still watch music videos?)" Another added.
This sentiment was echoed by Vogue through its newly released opinion piece titled, "If Sam Smith Were a Thin, Cis Woman, No One Would Have Given Their New Music Video a Second Thought."
Daisy Jones, the writer of the piece, wrote: "People aren't outraged because it's sexualized. They're outraged because it's overtly queer and sexualized. People don't know what to do with their discomfort-so they decide that the video itself must be the problem. They're offended, they think, so the video must be offensive."
READ ALSO: R. Kelly's Pending Sexual Assault Case in Illinois Dropped-Here's Why
