Sam Smith is an English singer and songwriter, born Samuel Frederick Smith on 19 May 1992 in London. They rose to prominence after providing vocals on Disclosure’s 2012 single “Latch,” followed by their own breakthrough single “Lay Me Down.”
Smith’s debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour (2014), established them internationally. The album included “Stay with Me,” one of their signature songs, and earned major critical and commercial success. In 2019, Smith came out as non-binary and said their pronouns are they/them.
Their fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, arrived on 21 August 2026. A series of chart hits, the No. 1 collaboration “Unholy” with Kim Petras, and an Academy Award for the James Bond theme “Writing’s on the Wall” have kept Smith at the center of pop music since 2012.
What Are Sam Smith’s Most Popular Songs?
The essentials of Smith’s profile, at a glance:
| Full Name | Samuel Frederick Smith |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 19 May 1992 |
| Genre | Pop, Soul, R&B |
| Latest Album | Hazel Eyes (2026) |
Smith’s major releases include In the Lonely Hour (2014), The Thrill of It All (2017), Love Goes (2020), Gloria (2023), and Hazel Eyes (2026). The wider discography adds “Latch” with Disclosure, “Lay Me Down,” “Writing’s on the Wall,” “Dancing with a Stranger” with Normani, “Love Is a Stillness,” “My Guy,” and “When He’s Gone.”
A few facts clarify Smith’s impact:
- With “Unholy,” Smith and Kim Petras became the first openly non-binary and openly transgender artists, respectively, to reach No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
- Smith’s vocal style has drawn frequent comparisons to Adele and Amy Winehouse.
- Smith came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns.
- Hazel Eyes is described as a project about love and emotional vulnerability.
- Smith has won multiple Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for “Writing’s on the Wall.”
Quick-reference facts:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Samuel Frederick Smith |
| Born | 19 May 1992, London, England |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Capitol, EMI, Polydor |
| Notable awards | 4 Grammys, 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe |
| Pronouns | They/them |
| Debut album | In the Lonely Hour (2014) |
| Latest album | Hazel Eyes (2026) |
| Instagram followers | Approximately 12.5 million (as of 2025) |
Who Is Sam Smith Married To?
Sam Smith is engaged to British fashion designer Christian Cowan. Cowan is described as a significant influence on Hazel Eyes, which Smith has characterized as an album made with love.
Who Is Christian Cowan?
Christian Cowan is a British fashion designer. Reporting around Hazel Eyes links the album’s themes of commitment and romance to Smith’s relationship with Cowan.
Has Sam Smith Confirmed a Marriage?
No. Available reporting documents an engagement, not a marriage. Smith has not officially confirmed a spouse. Public reporting describes an engagement to Christian Cowan, but no source in the available material confirms a completed marriage.
What Happened to Sam Smith?
No verified report indicates that Sam Smith retired or stepped back from music. The public record shows continuous activity across albums, collaborations, and live performances since 2012.
Is Sam Smith Retiring?
No. Smith’s release history runs from In the Lonely Hour (2014) through The Thrill of It All (2017), Love Goes (2020), Gloria (2023), and Hazel Eyes (2026).
Is Sam Smith Releasing New Music?
Yes. Hazel Eyes was released on 21 August 2026 through Capitol and Polydor Records. Songs associated with the album include “My Guy,” “When He’s Gone,” and “This Will Be (an Everlasting Love).”
Why Is Sam Smith in the News?
Coverage has centered on the success of “Unholy,” Smith’s identity as an openly non-binary artist, and the release of Hazel Eyes. In interviews, Smith has explained that they had always felt non-binary but only found the vocabulary to describe that identity at around age 27.
The curiosity around Smith’s status often stems from breaks between projects. Official channels remain the best source for accurate information.
Where Can I Find Sam Smith Concert Information?
Live-performance news for Sam Smith is published through the artist’s official website and verified social media profiles. The most recently documented engagements took place in New York and San Francisco.
Did Sam Smith Perform Live in 2025?
Yes. The major 2025 engagement was the To Be Free residency at The Warsaw in Brooklyn, New York, with 24 performances from 8 October through 13 December 2025.
What Were the Next Confirmed Shows?
A 16-show residency at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre followed, running from 10 February through 14 March 2026.
Where Are Official Updates Published?
The official website, Instagram, and Facebook pages carry announcements about shows, releases, and appearances. Smith’s 2025 live activity was centered on residencies rather than a conventional world tour, and the official website remains the primary reference for updates.
How Old Is Sam Smith?
Sam Smith was born on 19 May 1992 in London, England. Their full name is Samuel Frederick Smith. Key milestones in their career and personal life are outlined below.
- — Featured on Disclosure’s “Latch,” gaining initial fame.
- — Debut album In the Lonely Hour released, featuring “Stay with Me.”
- — Won four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.
- — Wrote and performed “Writing’s on the Wall” for the James Bond film Spectre.
- — Second album The Thrill of It All released.
- — Came out as non-binary and changed pronouns to they/them.
- — “Unholy” with Kim Petras reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- — Album Gloria released.
- — To Be Free residency at The Warsaw in Brooklyn, 8 October – 13 December.
- — Hazel Eyes released on 21 August.
What Is Sam Smith’s New Album?
Hazel Eyes is Smith’s fifth studio album, released on 21 August 2026 through Capitol and Polydor Records. Apple Music describes it as a 12-song collection combining acoustic guitar, piano, electric guitar, layered vocals, and choral arrangements.
The album is presented as a record about love. Its themes reportedly draw from Smith’s relationship with fashion designer Christian Cowan and from the influence of musician and collaborator Simon Aldred. A track list on Qobuz includes “My Guy,” “This Will Be (an Everlasting Love),” “When He’s Gone,” and “Oh Mother.”
The record moves beyond the heartbreak-focused material of In the Lonely Hour, toward songs reflecting romantic fulfillment, commitment, and personal growth.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Sam Smith was born on 19 May 1992 in London. | Marital status: engagement reported; no marriage or spouse confirmed. |
| Sam Smith uses they/them pronouns. | Net worth figures vary by source and are estimates. |
| The album Hazel Eyes is out via official channels. | Detailed tour dates beyond initial announcements may change. |
| Sam Smith has won multiple Grammys and an Oscar. | — |
Why Is Sam Smith Significant in Popular Music?
Smith has discussed coming out as queer at a much younger age and experiencing gender expression through clothing, makeup, and femininity before publicly using the term “non-binary.” Their announcement in 2019 made them one of the most prominent openly non-binary figures in popular music.
The success of “Unholy” extended that visibility. The single reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making Smith and Kim Petras the first openly non-binary and openly transgender artists, respectively, to achieve that milestone. It also marked a stylistic shift toward darker, more club-oriented pop.
With Hazel Eyes, Smith has moved from the heartbreak themes of their early career toward material about romantic fulfillment, commitment, and personal growth. Promotional activity for the album has been visible across the artist’s official website, Instagram, and streaming platforms. Other British artists have navigated similar reinventions in public view; James Blake – Trying Times, Tour, and Full Biography follows one such career path.
Where Can I Find Reliable Sam Smith Updates?
Official channels and established references provide the most dependable picture of Smith’s current work and history.
“The new album ‘Hazel Eyes’ out now.”
— Sam Smith’s official Instagram bio, March 2025
“Samuel Frederick Smith (born 19 May 1992) is an English singer and songwriter.”
— Wikipedia
“Hazel Eyes is about love.”
— Sam Smith’s Facebook post, March 2025
What Should You Know About Sam Smith?
Sam Smith remains one of the most visible British pop artists of their generation, with a catalog that spans the balladry of “Stay with Me,” the club-pop turn of “Unholy,” and the love-centered songwriting of Hazel Eyes. Their role in conversations about non-binary representation adds a layer of cultural significance to their commercial success. A related profile, Jessie J – 2025 Comeback, New Album and Health Story, covers another British artist’s recent chapter.
What Do People Most Often Ask About Sam Smith?
What is Sam Smith’s real name?
Samuel Frederick Smith.
What is Sam Smith’s net worth?
Estimates range between $30 million and $45 million, depending on the source.
What is the meaning of “Unholy”?
The song explores themes of infidelity and secrets with a dark, dance-pop sound.
Does Sam Smith have children?
No publicly confirmed information.
Where was Sam Smith born?
London, England.
Is Sam Smith on tour now?
Sam Smith announced live performances in connection with Hazel Eyes. The official website carries the current tour information.
When did Sam Smith come out as non-binary?
In 2019. Smith uses they/them pronouns and has said they had always felt non-binary but found the vocabulary at around age 27.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.