Sam Smith is renowned for sharing his thoughts and emotions openly with fans. Now, in an interview with V Magazine, the 25-year-old Too Good at Goodbyes singer spoke candidly about past struggles and making peace with his body image.
Interviewed by friend, Sarah Jessica Parker, as the cover-star for the publication's spring issue, Smith said that he feels "completely different" about himself as opposed to two years ago because of his noticeable weight loss.
"When I was shooting my first music videos I wasn't happy with the way I look, so I was trying to control the way the camera moved." he said, with the magazine labelling him "the voice of freedom."
"I got a bit obsessive. I was constantly looking in the mirror, pinching my waist, weighing myself every day."
These days, Smith has established a healthier outlook and relationship with his body. Though he admits it's difficult not get caught in comparing himself to unattainable standards despite having already lost 22 kilograms in a food an exercise overhaul.
"Now I've gotten to a place where I love my stretch marks and I just enjoy my body," the four-time Grammy winner shared.
"My job is very self-indulgent. I get kind of sick of myself, so I trust my team. But my body image is always going to be an issue."
"I need to constantly train myself to watch the right sort of films, to not look at certain ads and think that's how my stomach should look. It's something that I'm fighting every day. I think men should talk about it more."
Speaking about how his sophomore album The Thrill of It All, differs from the first as a project "about self-love" and better embracing sexuality, Smith also discussed how the relationship with new partner, 13 Reasons Why Brandon Flynn is also changing his perspectives on happiness and image. The pair are currently enjoying some time together in Australia ahead of Smith's scheduled Sydney show.
"In the past few years I became a gay man properly. On a personal level, I'm in a relationship right now and for the first time, I think I deserve to be happy," he said. "I'm actually asking myself if I'm going to be writing some happy love songs soon."
"When I was writing it, I had a really bad relationship with myself. I didn't like who I saw in the mirror, and now I really kind of like myself. I enjoy my own company and I feel like I deserve to be loved back."
For Smith, happiness is now what breaking the rules means to him. He also holds a hopefully mindset for the future.
"It's exciting seeing people walking the streets and fighting for what they believe in. It's nice to see people protesting -- that excites me."
Breaking rules, "means happiness, it sounds so strange, but I became some comfortable with my loneliness. I most my friendship with happiness."
