Sam Smith Reveals Childhood Struggles with Weight and Body Image
Sam Smith opened up about their challenging experience with body image during childhood in a recent podcast interview. Speaking with Penn Badgley on the Podcrushed podcast, Smith discussed the impact of teasing related to their weight.
Teasing and Its Effects
Smith described that the constant teasing made simple activities like swimming at school difficult. They shared,
"I was just getting so teased, I couldn’t go swimming in school."
Smith also noted the discomfort of changing in the locker room, calling it "hell."
Weight Issues versus Queerness
While Smith felt they could manage their queerness, which they embraced by coming out as gay at age 10, weight was their toughest challenge. They explained,
"My queerness was something that I could handle and I could have a grasp on it. But it was my weight as a kid that was the hardest thing for me in school and weirdly the thing I got teased the most about."
Liposuction and Its Aftermath
Due to bullying and as a result of a developing chest, Smith underwent surgery with parental support at age 13. They said the liposuction was effective but emotionally difficult. Despite being advised to wear a chest bandage for one month, Smith wore it for over a year, explaining,
"If I wore the bandage, it meant that I would get to the front of the lunch queue. Because everyone had to be sensitive about my chest."
Smith acknowledged that this led to overeating,
"I’d just get first at lunch queue and I’d eat more and eat more and eat more. And so the surgery never really worked. Because I just love food."
Summary
Sam Smith’s story highlights the lasting impact of childhood bullying on self-image and the complex ways people cope with body-related struggles.