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Sam Smith – The Soulful British Crooner Taking the World By Storm

Full Name Samuel Frederick Smith
Born May 19, 1992 in London, England
Age 31
Genre Pop, Soul, R&B
Notable Songs "Stay With Me," "Too Good at Goodbyes," "I‘m Not The Only One"
Awards 4 Grammys, 3 Brit Awards, 1 Golden Globe, 1 Oscar
Record Label Capitol Records
Net Worth $40 Million

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Samuel Frederick Smith was born on May 19, 1992 in London to Frederick Smith and Kate Cassidy, who were both passionate about music. As a child, Sam joined local jazz choirs and took lessons to train their now-iconic vocals. At age 16, Smith auditioned for The X Factor UK, wowing judges with their rendition of Beyoncé‘s "Listen." Though they didn‘t make it past bootcamp, this kicked off Sam‘s singing ambitions.

After graduating from Bishop‘s Stortford College, Sam attended Youth Music Theatre UK. There they honed their craft and networked within the industry, which led to gigs as a backup vocalist for artists like Jessie J and Joker. Sam Smith was on their way to stardom.

Rise to Fame

Sam‘s career truly took off in 2012 when they were featured on Disclosure‘s infectious hit "Latch." The track introduced Smith‘s singing to the world and they soon signed to Capitol Records. Early songs like "Lay Me Down" and "Money on My Mind" earned critical acclaim and chart success.

But it was 2014‘s "Stay With Me" that catapulted Sam to fame. The gospel-tinged ballad topped charts worldwide, earned them 2 Grammys, and led Time Magazine to name them one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Clearly, Sam Smith had transitioned from backup singer to front and center star.

Artistry and Accolades

What makes Sam Smith so special is their stunning voice and emotional vulnerability. Smith cites Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and Amy Winehouse as influences – you can hear their soulful stylings echoed in Smith‘s retro pop/R&B fusion. Lyrics tackle heartbreak, relationships, and inner struggles in a relatable way.

This resonant songwriting earned Smith numerous accolades, including 4 Grammy Awards, 3 Brit Awards, a Golden Globe for "Writing‘s on The Wall," and an Oscar for the Spectre theme song. At just 25, they set the record for most simultaneous UK top 10 singles from a debut album. Smith‘s talent is undeniable.

Personal Life

Sam Smith lives authentically, opening up about sexuality, mental health, and body image. They came out as gay in 2014 and non-binary in 2019, using they/them pronouns. Smith underwent weight loss surgery in 2020 after struggling with body image. They enjoy art collecting, yoga, and posting lighthearted TikToks for fans.

Despite fame, Smith remains humble. They support causes like Children in Need and Black Lives Matter. Sam recognizes their privilege as a white artist in black-origins genres. We stans admire Smith‘s spirit – they focus on music first and making people feel less alone.

The Future

At just 31, Sam Smith‘s career is only getting started. They continue to evolve, recently exploring more uplifting themes and disco sounds with songs like "Unholy" and "Gimme." I can‘t wait to see what‘s next for this generational talent – a Sam Smith Broadway musical, perhaps? One thing‘s for sure: the best is yet to come!