Honestly, if you look at a photo of Sam Smith from 2014 and compare it to them today, it’s hard to believe it’s the same person. Not just because of the outfits. It’s the energy. Back when In the Lonely Hour was playing on every car radio, Sam was the "safe" choice. They were the polite kid in the sharp navy suit, singing soul-crushing ballads that your grandma probably loved as much as you did.
Fast forward to now. We’ve seen the latex, the heels, the glitter, and the sheer defiance.
The Sam Smith before and after narrative isn't just a weight loss story or a fashion glow-up. It’s a complete structural rebuild of a human being in the public eye. People get weirdly heated about it, but if you look past the Twitter discourse, there’s a fascinating trajectory of someone who finally stopped asking for permission to exist.
The "Before" Era: Suits, Soul, and Silence
When Sam Smith first exploded onto the scene with Disclosure's "Latch," they were a vocal powerhouse tucked away behind an electronic beat. By the time "Stay With Me" hit, the brand was clear: the heartbroken crooner.
At 22, Sam was already a Grammy winner, but they weren't exactly "free." Looking back at that 2014 period, the image was very manicured. It was the "English Boy" aesthetic—structured coats, muted colors, and a sort of bashful, almost apologetic presence.
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The weight loss that started the conversation
In 2015, the "before and after" talk actually started with a physical change. Sam met nutritional therapist Amelia Freer and famously lost about a stone in just two weeks. Eventually, that number climbed to over 50 pounds. The world obsessed over it. Headlines were everywhere. But Sam later admitted this period wasn't all sunshine. They were still "at war with the mirror."
The industry loved the "slimmer" Sam because it fit the traditional pop star mold. But inside? Sam was still struggling with body dysmorphia and a deep-seated feeling that they had to look a certain way to be worthy of the microphone.
- 2014: Debuted as a soulful balladeer.
- 2015: Dramatic weight loss via the Eat. Nourish. Glow. method.
- 2017: Released The Thrill of It All, still leaning into the "sad boy" image but starting to hint at more.
The Turning Point: 2019 and the Gender Journey
The real "after" began in 2019. This is the year Sam came out as non-binary and changed their pronouns to they/them. Everything shifted. You could see the visual language of their career change almost overnight. The suits were binned. In came the lace, the makeup, and the movement.
This wasn't just a style choice. Sam talked about how being assigned "male" as a kid felt like a cage. They even had liposuction on their chest at age 12 because of bullying—a trauma they carried for decades. Coming out wasn't just about labels; it was about exhaling.
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Why the public reaction was so split
It’s kinda wild how much a pair of heels can upset people. As Sam moved into the Gloria era, the backlash intensified. Some critics claimed the "new" Sam was "too much" or "trying too hard."
But here’s the thing: when Sam was the sad, quiet guy in the suit, they were digestible. Now that they are a joyful, gender-fluid person celebrating their body—curves and all—it challenges people's comfort zones. They went from "peddling inoffensive pop" (as some Reddit critics put it) to being a lightning rod for the culture wars.
Sam Smith Before and After: The Artistic Evolution
Musically, the transition is just as stark.
The "before" was acoustic guitars and gospel choirs.
The "after" is "Unholy."
Breaking the Ballad Formula
For a long time, Sam was stuck in the "Adele Lane." Beautiful? Yes. Predictable? Sorta. With the release of Love Goes (2020) and Gloria (2023), the sound mutated. We got disco, dance-pop, and club anthems. "Unholy" with Kim Petras wasn't just a hit; it was a middle finger to the expectation that Sam should stay in their lane. It made them the first non-binary artist to hit Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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- Vocal Style: Earlier work focused on the pure, "honeyed" falsetto. Newer tracks use more grit, experimentation, and playfulness.
- Themes: Heartbreak and unrequited love have been replaced by self-love, sexual liberation, and queer joy.
- Performance: From standing still at a mic stand to full-blown choreography and avant-garde stage sets.
The 2026 Perspective: Where They Stand Now
Looking at Sam Smith in 2026, the transformation seems permanent. They’ve moved past the "edgy phase" that people criticized in 2023 and settled into a space of genuine confidence.
Experts in the music industry note that Sam's legacy won't just be the Grammys. It’ll be the fact that they survived the transition from "Establishment Darling" to "Provocative Icon" without losing their voice. They’ve spoken openly about being spat at in the street and called "trash" for their identity. Yet, they keep showing up in Vivienne Westwood and Christian Cowan.
Misconceptions vs. Reality
A big misconception is that the "Before" Sam was the "Real" Sam and the "After" is a character. Honestly, it’s usually the opposite with child stars and early-career artists. The suit was the costume. The sequins are the person.
Actionable Takeaways from Sam's Journey
If you’re following the Sam Smith story for inspiration or just curious about the shifts in pop culture, there are a few real lessons here:
- Authenticity is a slow burn: It took Sam nearly a decade in the spotlight to feel comfortable enough to wear what they wanted. Don't rush your own self-discovery.
- Health isn't just a number: Sam’s 2015 weight loss was "successful" by Hollywood standards, but they weren't happy. True health for them came with body acceptance, not just a diet plan.
- Expect resistance: Changing your personal brand—whether you're a pop star or an accountant—will always annoy someone. The goal isn't to please the critics; it's to stop being miserable.
- Follow the joy: If you compare the In the Lonely Hour music videos to the Gloria visuals, the smile in the latter looks a lot more real.
The Sam Smith before and after isn't finished. As long as they keep recording, the image will keep shifting. But for now, they've proven that you can be the "heartbreak kid" and a "liberated icon" in the same lifetime. They didn't just change their clothes; they changed the rules of who gets to be a global pop star.