If you look at a photo of Sam Smith from 2014 and compare it to a snapshot from their 2026 world tour, you’re not just seeing a different wardrobe. You're seeing someone who finally stopped asking for permission to exist.
Honestly, the "Sam Smith then and now" conversation usually gets bogged down in the same three things: the weight loss, the pronouns, and the "Unholy" of it all. But if you actually listen to the trajectory of the music—from the polite, charcoal-suit era of In the Lonely Hour to the experimental, high-fashion defiance of Gloria—the real story is about a voice that was once a prisoner of its own perfection.
The "Latch" Era: A Voice Without a Face
Back in 2012, Sam Smith was basically a ghost in the machine. When Disclosure dropped "Latch," everyone was obsessed with that piercing, elastic falsetto. It was everywhere. Clubs, car radios, late-night dorm rooms. But nobody really knew what Sam looked like or who they were.
Then came 2014. The year of the heartbreak.
In the Lonely Hour turned Sam into a global phenomenon, but it was a very specific kind of stardom. They were marketed as the "male Adele"—the safe, soulful balladeer who sang about unrequited love in a way that didn't ruffle any feathers. It was beautiful, sure. "Stay With Me" and "I'm Not the Only One" are modern classics. But Sam has since admitted they felt they had to "de-gay" their image back then to be digestible for the masses.
The Vocal Crisis That Changed Everything
In 2015, the music almost stopped. You might remember the headlines about Sam having to cancel a string of Australian tour dates. It wasn't just "exhaustion." It was a vocal cord hemorrhage.
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They flew to Boston to see Dr. Steven Zeitels—the same guy who worked on Adele and Steven Tyler. Surgery was successful, but it changed the way Sam approached their instrument. If you listen to the early recordings, there’s a lot of "breathy" singing. It sounds intimate, but it's actually incredibly taxing on the vocal folds.
Post-surgery, Sam had to relearn how to use that massive gift. The result? A sturdier, more resonant tone that we started to hear on The Thrill of It All in 2017. They weren't just a falsetto act anymore.
Coming Out Twice: The Identity Shift
The biggest "then and now" marker isn't a chart position. It's the 2019 announcement where Sam came out as non-binary.
They’d been "out" as gay since the start of their career, but this was different. It wasn't just about who they loved; it was about who they were. Using they/them pronouns wasn't just a linguistic change—it was a wrecking ball to the "safe" image the industry had built for them.
Suddenly, the charcoal suits were gone. In their place?
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- Sheer lace.
- Sky-high platforms.
- Latex.
- The "Gloria" tour's golden corsets.
The public reaction was... mixed, to put it lightly. The same people who loved the sad guy in the suit were suddenly "concerned" about the person dancing in a thong. But looking at Sam now, they’ve never looked more comfortable. There’s a swagger in their walk that simply wasn't there in 2014.
Why "Unholy" Was a Point of No Return
When "Unholy" featuring Kim Petras dropped in 2022, it shifted the Sam Smith then and now narrative permanently. It was their first Billboard Hot 100 number one in the US. More importantly, it was a middle finger to the idea that a queer artist has to be "sad" or "relatable" to be successful.
It was aggressive. It was dirty. It was fun.
The Sam of ten years ago would have never released that track. They were too busy trying to be "the only gay in the village" who didn't offend anyone. By 2026, Sam has leaned even further into this liberation, blending R&B, disco, and gospel in a way that feels like a celebration rather than a confession.
The 2026 Reality: A Legacy of Authenticity
So, where does that leave us?
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Today, Sam Smith is one of the few artists who has survived the transition from "vocal powerhouse" to "cultural provocateur." They’ve won five Grammys, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe, but their real achievement is the blueprint they’ve left for other queer artists.
They showed that you can start in the box and then literally tear the box apart.
What You Can Learn From Sam’s Evolution
If you're following Sam's journey, there are a few practical takeaways regarding self-expression and career longevity:
- Prioritize Health Over Hype: Sam’s vocal surgery was a wake-up call. If they hadn't stopped to heal, they wouldn't be singing in 2026. Don't ignore the warning signs of burnout.
- Authenticity Scales: There was a fear that coming out as non-binary would "ruin" Sam's career. Instead, it led to their biggest hit to date. People respond to truth, even if they're uncomfortable at first.
- Style is a Tool, Not a Uniform: Don't be afraid to change your "brand." Your 2014 self doesn't have to dictate who you are today.
If you want to see the full scope of this transformation, go back and watch the 2014 BRITs performance of "Stay With Me," then immediately watch the "I'm Not Here to Make Friends" music video. The difference isn't just the production value. It's the person in the center of the frame finally looking like they’ve come home to themselves.
To see Sam's current direction, check out their 2025 BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall performance. It's a perfect marriage of the "then" (the classic vocals) and the "now" (the unapologetic identity).