Few pop stars have navigated the intersection of personal identity and public life as openly as Sam Smith. From the soul-stirring ballads that made them a household name to the 2019 announcement that rewrote how millions of fans understand gender, Smith’s journey has been anything but quiet. This article separates verified biography from online speculation, tracing the milestones that actually define the singer’s life and career.

Born: 19 May 1992 (London, England) ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter ·
Gender identity: Non-binary (came out publicly 2019) ·
Grammy Awards: 5 (including Best New Artist, Record of the Year) ·
Studio albums: 4 (In the Lonely Hour, The Thrill of It All, Love Goes, Gloria) ·
Net worth (estimated): $45 million (2025, various sources)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • New music in development, no announced release date
  • Continued touring and live performances through 2025
  • Potential further public discussion of personal life milestones

Ten key facts about Sam Smith, drawn from verified sources:

Field Value
Full name Samuel Frederick Smith
Birth date
Birth place London, England
Gender identity Non-binary
Pronouns They/them
Sexual orientation Gay
Relationship status In a relationship (Christian Cowan, rumored)
Children None
Estimated net worth $45 million (2025)
Residence London, UK & Los Angeles, USA

What is Sam Smith’s current gender identity?

Sam Smith’s public announcement (2019)

Sam Smith publicly came out as non-binary in March 2019, telling fans in a social media post and subsequent interviews that they no longer identify strictly as male or female. BBC Newsbeat (UK public broadcaster) reported Smith’s statement: “I am not male or female, I think I float somewhere in between.”

Smith later explained that they had “always” been non-binary but only found the vocabulary to describe it at age 27, as People (US entertainment magazine) documented in a follow-up interview. The singer described feeling “as much woman as I am man” in an earlier conversation with ABC News (US network news division).

Pronouns and language used by Smith

Smith uses they/them pronouns. ABC News (US network news division) reported that the singer changed pronouns six months after coming out as non-binary. In a 2019 interview with British GQ (UK men’s style magazine), Smith noted they still accepted he/him from some people while encouraging close friends to use they/them.

The upshot

Smith’s pronoun shift reflects a broader cultural conversation about non-binary identity. For fans and media, the consistent use of they/them is now the standard — and misgendering carries real reputational risk for outlets that get it wrong.

The implication: Smith’s gender identity disclosure is one of the most publicly documented in pop music, with multiple Tier-1 sources confirming the timeline. This is not a rumor — it’s a recorded personal statement.

When did Sam Smith come out as LGBTQ?

Timeline of sexual orientation disclosure

Smith first came out as gay in 2014 during an interview with Grammy (Recording Academy)-cited media, which marked the beginning of their public identity journey. In 2017, Smith made their first public mention of a genderqueer identity, telling ABC News (US network news division) that they felt “as much woman as I am man.”

  • 2014: Came out as gay in an interview with Fader
  • 2017: First public mention of genderqueer identity
  • March 2019: Came out as non-binary and adopted they/them pronouns

Britannica (encyclopedia) notes that Smith’s lyrics have consistently subverted conventional romantic-love themes in soul music, a pattern that predates and parallels their identity evolution.

Why this matters

The LGBTQ timeline shows a gradual, public evolution — not a sudden change. Smith’s 2017 genderqueer comments were a bridge to the clearer non-binary statement in 2019, and the consistency across multiple Tier-1 sources means the sequence is verifiable, not speculative.

Early interviews and relationships

Smith’s early relationships were conducted privately, but the 2014 coming-out interview set the stage for a career in which personal identity became inseparable from public persona. The pattern: each disclosure preceded a new album cycle, suggesting Smith used music as a vehicle for self-expression.

The trade-off: Smith’s willingness to share identity milestones has made them a target for both celebration and scrutiny, a dynamic few artists navigate as visibly.

Who is Sam Smith in a relationship with?

Current partner (as of 2025)

Smith is rumored to be in a relationship with fashion designer Christian Cowan, with reports dating the connection to 2023. Neither party has officially confirmed the relationship, and the details remain largely private. People (US entertainment magazine) has covered the speculation without confirming a formal partnership.

Past relationships: Brandon Flynn, Jonathan Zeizel

Smith dated actor Brandon Flynn — known for 13 Reasons Why — from 2017 to 2018. The relationship was public and covered by multiple outlets. Smith also had a relationship with Biography.com (biographical reference site)-documented associate Jonathan Zeizel. As of 2025, Smith has no official spouse.

What to watch

The gap between public speculation and confirmed relationship status is significant. Fans and media should treat unconfirmed partner details as rumor until Smith or the other party makes a statement — a boundary Smith has actively maintained.

The pattern: Smith’s relationship history is documented in fragments — some confirmed by both parties, others inferred from social media and paparazzi photos. The confirmed relationships are the ones publicly discussed in interviews.

Does Sam Smith have children?

Sam Smith does not have children, a fact confirmed across multiple interviews and biographical sources up to 2025. Britannica (encyclopedia) and Biography.com (biographical reference site) both list no children in their biographical entries. Smith has expressed a desire to have children in the future, but no timeline or public plan has been announced.

The catch: the absence of children is a verifiable fact, but the desire for future parenthood is a personal statement that may or may not materialize. Smith’s fans should treat this as a future possibility, not a current reality.

How wealthy is Sam Smith?

Estimated net worth (multiple sources)

Multiple third-party sources estimate Sam Smith’s net worth at approximately $45 million as of 2025. Celebrity Net Worth (financial estimates site) and Yahoo Lifestyle (US lifestyle news portal) both report the $45 million figure, though neither source is a primary financial document.

Smith’s primary income sources include album sales, touring revenue, and endorsement deals. The singer has also invested in real estate, including properties in London and Los Angeles.

The catch

Net worth estimates for celebrities are exactly that — estimates. Without audited financial statements, the $45 million figure should be treated as a directional indicator rather than a verified fact. The real number could be higher or lower depending on unpublicized assets, debts, and business ventures.

The implication: for fans and media, the $45 million figure is the most commonly cited estimate, but it comes from Tier-3 sources. The actual number is known only to Smith and their financial advisors.

Where is Sam Smith living now?

Sam Smith maintains homes in both London, England, and Los Angeles, California. Biography.com (biographical reference site) notes the dual-residence arrangement. Smith sold a London property in 2022, and as of 2025, the singer is primarily based in Los Angeles, though they still spend time in the UK.

The trade-off: the shift toward Los Angeles reflects the reality of a global music career — proximity to the US entertainment industry is a professional necessity. But London remains a home base, and Smith’s connection to UK audiences is a constant in their career.

Timeline: Sam Smith’s life and career milestones

  • : Sam Smith born in London, England (Grammy (Recording Academy))
  • 2012: Featured on Disclosure’s “Latch,” gaining first major recognition (Grammy (Recording Academy))
  • 2014: Came out as gay in an interview with Fader; debut album In the Lonely Hour released (Grammy (Recording Academy))
  • 2015: Co-wrote “Writing’s On The Wall” for James Bond film Spectre (Grammy (Recording Academy))
  • 2016: Won Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Writing’s On The Wall” (InfluencerFee (data aggregator))
  • 2017: First public mention of genderqueer identity (ABC News (US network news division))
  • March 2019: Came out as non-binary and began using they/them pronouns (BBC Newsbeat (UK public broadcaster))
  • 2020: Released album Love Goes
  • 2023: Released album Gloria and collaboration “Unholy” with Kim Petras
  • 2025: Continues performing and working on new music
The pattern: each career milestone is bookended by a personal identity disclosure, suggesting that Smith’s art and life are deliberately intertwined. The timeline is one of the most documentable in modern pop music.

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Smith is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns (BBC Newsbeat (UK public broadcaster))
  • Smith came out as gay in 2014 (Grammy (Recording Academy))
  • Smith does not have children (Britannica (encyclopedia))
  • Smith’s estimated net worth is $45 million (multiple third-party sources)
  • Smith was born in London on 19 May 1992 (Grammy (Recording Academy))
  • Smith has won 5 Grammy Awards (Grammy (Recording Academy))

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of relationships post-2023 (status with Christian Cowan unconfirmed)
  • Future album release dates (no official announcement)
  • Smith’s specific political affiliations
  • Precise net worth breakdown (the $45M figure is a third-party estimate)

Quotes from Sam Smith

“I am not male or female, I think I float somewhere in between.”

— Sam Smith, gender identity announcement, March 2019 (BBC Newsbeat (UK public broadcaster))

“I’ve always been non-binary, I just didn’t have the vocabulary for it until I was 27.”

— Sam Smith, interview with People (US entertainment magazine)

“I feel as much woman as I am man.”

— Sam Smith, interview with ABC News (US network news division), 2017

What this means: Sam Smith’s career is a case study in how personal identity and public artistry can evolve in parallel, each informing the other. The singer’s willingness to share their gender journey has made them a cultural touchstone for millions, but it has also exposed them to scrutiny that few artists face. The verified facts are clear: Smith is non-binary, uses they/them pronouns, came out as gay in 2014, has no children, and maintains an estimated net worth of $45 million. What remains unclear — future relationships, musical directions, and personal milestones — is Smith’s to share on their own terms. For fans and media, the lesson is to separate verified biography from speculation, and to respect the boundaries Smith has drawn around their private life.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sam Smith’s most famous song?

“Stay With Me” (2014) is widely considered Smith’s most famous song, reaching No. 2 on the charts and winning Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year (Grammy (Recording Academy)).

Why is Sam Smith called ‘Sam’?

Sam is a shortened form of their birth name, Samuel Frederick Smith. The singer has used Sam professionally since the start of their career.

Does Sam Smith have any siblings?

Yes, Smith has siblings, though they maintain a relatively private family life beyond their public career.

Is Sam Smith married?

No, Sam Smith is not married as of 2025. They are rumored to be in a relationship with Christian Cowan, but no marriage has been announced.

How many Grammy awards has Sam Smith won?

Sam Smith has won 5 Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year (Grammy (Recording Academy)).

What is Sam Smith’s last album?

Smith’s most recent studio album is Gloria, released in 2023, which includes the hit collaboration “Unholy” with Kim Petras.

Did Sam Smith change their name?

Sam Smith has not legally changed their name. They continue to use Sam Smith professionally, which is a shortened form of their birth name Samuel Frederick Smith.

Related reading: Lady Gaga: Personal Life, Health, Career, and Facts · Queen Latifah Wife, Kids, Coming Out, and Career Facts