Sam Smith, the English singer known for songs like Unholy, Fire on Fire, and I’m Not the Only One, opened up about their teenage experiences with body image on actor Penn Badgley’s podcast, Podcrushed. The 33-year-old artist, who uses they/them pronouns, discussed the difficulties they faced with their weight as a child and revealed undergoing liposuction at the age of 13.
During the podcast episode released on November 5, Smith spoke candidly about how growing up with body insecurities affected their life. They described being teased and feeling isolated at school.
“My weight as a kid was the hardest thing for me in school, and weirdly, the thing I probably got teased the most about,”
Smith said to Penn Badgley and his co-hosts Sophie Ansari and Nava Kavelin.
Addressing their teenage years, Smith explained how a growing chest made them extremely self-conscious and a target for bullying. This led to their decision to undergo liposuction at a very young age.
“I had surgery on my chest when I was 13 years old because I had a growing chest,”
Smith shared, adding,
“There were all sorts of reasons why, but mainly that I was just getting so teased.”
They recalled struggling with everyday school life:
“I couldn’t go swimming in school, and getting changed in the locker room was hell. So I got liposuction when I was 13 years old.”
When asked about how their parents reacted to the surgery, Smith revealed that they were deeply understanding and stood behind their decision.
“My parents were hugely supportive,”
Smith explained, emphasizing how their family’s empathy helped them cope during an emotionally difficult time.
At 13, Sam Smith underwent liposuction to cope with bullying and body image struggles, later crediting their parents’ support for helping them navigate that painful period.