• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Culture

Sam Smith explains how they were able to accept their gender identity

1:49
Our favorite Sam Smith moments for their birthday
Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images
ByAndrea Tuccillo
October 20, 2020, 3:27 PM

Sam Smith says they have "always" identified as non-binary, but explained how they were finally able to come to terms with their gender identity.

"For me, what triggered everything was the work I was doing with my body issues," the non-binary singer tells U.K.’s The Sunday Times. "I always had body dysmorphia. As I started to address that, I started to address my gender and realized that I was holding myself to these ideals of how a man should look."

Related Articles

MORE: Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith changes pronouns to they/them

Editor’s Picks

Garth Brooks announces live interactive preview of his upcoming albums

  • Oct 20, 2020

5 things you should know about K-Pop group BLACKPINK

  • Oct 20, 2020

'Dancing with the Stars' recap: Vernon Davis dances his last; 4 tie for 1st place

  • Oct 20, 2020

"As I looked into it, I did therapy, I realized there was more to it," they continued. "I have girl’s thighs and I have girl breasts, too. It started to awaken this conversation that had always been in the back of my mind."

Now, Smith says, they’re much more accepting of who they are and what they look like.

"In the words of Rihanna, I have been gifted with a 'fluctuating body,'" Smith shared, referencing a Rihanna quote from three years ago. "I can lose weight, I can put weight on quickly, I am a shapeshifter. When I read Rihanna, I felt very seen."

Smith first came out as non-binary in May 2019. Six months later, the singer changed their pronouns to they/them, announcing the change in an Instagram post.

The singer is set to drop their new album "Love Goes" on Oct. 30.

Related Topics

  • LGBTQ

Editor’s Picks

Garth Brooks announces live interactive preview of his upcoming albums

  • Oct 20, 2020

5 things you should know about K-Pop group BLACKPINK

  • Oct 20, 2020

'Dancing with the Stars' recap: Vernon Davis dances his last; 4 tie for 1st place

  • Oct 20, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

Shakira acquitted of tax fraud in Spain

May 18, 2026

Ella Langley sweeps the ACM Awards, Cody Johnson wins entertainer of the year

May 18, 2026

Alex Cooper expecting 1st child with husband Matt Kaplan

May 17, 2026

Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson celebrate kids' graduation milestones

May 16, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News