After Sam Smith’s performance at the 2023 Grammy’s gala, social media lit up with conversations disapproving of the show, with posts flying around stating: “Hollywood is Titanic!” or “Hollywood is a disaster and there is nothing that can save it.” The hit song “Unholy” off the recently released album Gloria earned Smith and Kim Petras the 2023 Grammy award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. They are the first transgender and nonbinary people to take this honor. 

After Smith’s performance, the world seemed unable to talk about anything else. Smith was targeted as being too edgy, demonic or even satanic. The “Unholy” performance involved red coloring on stage, background dancers performing aggressive choreography and provocative and sexy costumes. Talk TV commented that this is clearly a mockery of Hollywood and of everybody watching at home, especially everyone with families and children watching the Grammys.

In the article, it was stated that “Sam Smith is evil, and ‘he’ belongs in hell.” It also stated that this was only a way for the performers to land on the front page and create a trending topic–to make people pay attention to them as an artist again.

 With their song “I’m Not Here to Make Friends,” some people are questioning if Smith is in a depressive state of mind, desperately seeking attention. This kind of hate is typically a way for people to judge others when in reality they are truly just bored with their lives. “The modern appetite for drab shock art is seemingly insatiable”, according to Washington Examiner. Critics might find it difficult to accept that Smith is no longer the introverted, typical kind of person writing songs to cry in the car to à la “Stay with Me”. So, did Smith only do this to get publicity? Smith’s co-performer, Petra, responded to the criticism against Smith, saying that “pop music is supposed to be that way. It’s been that way forever,” referring to the sexual approach of the performance. Fans of Sam Smith have defended the artist after criticism of their new song video for having scenes that were “hyper-sexualized” surfaced, saying the same as Petra, comparing it to other stars that faced similar criticism in the past, like Madonna, Miley Cyrus and Cardi B to mention a few.

One theory is that people today tend to label things as “provocative” when it doesn’t meet the ideal version of the standard body type of modern society. In this case, Smith is being blamed for exploiting their identity as gay and transgender to gain fame. Alongside the vulgar costume choice – including nipple pasties, high heels and corsets – their body type is conventionally rejected, which generates even more discussion about the intention of Sam Smith’s performance. 

Sam Smith reminds us that there is no right or wrong way to define someone, and especially as a celebrity promoting the LGBTQ- community it is important to take the lead and remove the judgements from any labels of gender or identity of others. 

The lyrics “I’m not here to make friends, I’m just here to make waves,” are a declaration of self-worth and confidence, in line with the constant journey of self-acceptance. The song encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and not be afraid to be different or stand out. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Smith opened up about their struggle with body dysmorphia in light of public opinion. In the interview, they stated “I’m happier in my own skin on ‘Gloria’,” referring to their latest studio album. “I feel liberated, released from pressures I felt when I was young. (…) My mum says that, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped caring what people think as much. She tends to be right.”

Smith likely wanted to be recognized by the world as a breakthrough for their news of being non-binary. This is not enough justification to call Smith “disgusting.” At the end of the day, this is another form of self-expression, not something worth condemning another person over. Holding on to these limiting beliefs holds the world back from having an open-minded perspective of the world. Instead, the world needs to accept artists who are pushing boundaries and praise healthy and different body types, genders and sexualities. One can have their own opinion while still accepting another’s way of expressing themselves without being judgmental all over social media. As stated on Page Six, “Evil is when a man walks into a school and murders a dozen children. Evil is when Russia bombs schools and hospitals to steal land. Evil is NOT when a musician dances around in a devil suit performing a hit song.” 

Smith and Petras made history with their “Unholy” performance. Whatever opinions remain about Smith, their opinion of themself is not for us to judge. As long as the music they create is amazing and worth playing in the car, I certainly do not care.