Sam Smith has been ‘spat at in the street’ after changing pronouns-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

Sam Smith has suffered disgusting abuse in public (Picture: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Sam Smith has opened up about the abuse they have suffered since changing their pronouns.

The 30-year-old singer, who announced they were non-binary back in 2019 and asked people to use they/them pronouns, admitted the negative reaction in public has been the ‘hardest part’ of their experience.

Speaking to Apple Music 1, they said: ‘What people don’t realise with trans non-binary people in the UK is it’s happening in the street. Like, I’m being abused in the street verbally more than I ever have.’

They added: ‘Someone spat at me like in the street. It’s crazy.’

And Sam noted they are concerned for queer people who aren’t celebrities but have to deal with similar levels of abuse.

‘It’s just so sad like that we’re in 2023 and it’s still happening. It’s exhausting,’ they said.

Sam’s personal life has improved (Picture: Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Sam noted that they communicate ‘even better’ now with their family, and changing their pronouns has felt ‘like a coming home’ with their own love life has also benefited because they feel ‘lovable’ and ‘comfortable’ in their own skin.

However, despite the support of their family it has been hard to deal with the negative reaction online and in public, describing it as ‘exhausting’.

‘Just the amount of hate and s***ness that came my way was just exhausting,’ they explained, noting it’s ‘really hard’ – particularly when they aren’t deliberately looking for stories or any backlash.

They added: ‘It was in the f***ing news. It was hard not to look.’

Sam has recently spoken candidly about their struggles with fame, admitting becoming a well-known figure has been ‘one of the biggest struggles’ of their life.

They told BBC Radio 2’s First and Last podcast: ‘Relationships change and family can change. Money can change that, and fame. Fame is probably the biggest issue I have had in my life.’

They added: ‘[Fame] is this horrible one as you can’t moan about it [because] I know I am very, very lucky to be in my position, but life does get turned on its head.’

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