“I always thought I wanted fame, but when it came, it terrified me.” 😥 Incredible TRANSFORMATION in PICS

For over a decade, Sam Smith’s journey has unfolded publicly—from wide-eyed newcomer to Oscar-winning artist navigating fame, mental health struggles, and profound self-discovery.

**Early Success and Its Cost**

In 2016, at just 23, Smith won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Writing’s on the Wall” from *Spectre*, becoming only the second performer after Adele to win an Oscar for a Bond theme. While exhilarating, the meteoric rise brought overwhelming anxiety.

“I get massive anxiety. I really struggle,” Smith told *The Sun* in 2018. “I thought I would be more in control of my body and emotions, but I get so nervous, to the point I’m almost having panic attacks.” They reflected candidly: “The fame is something I thought I wanted, and when it happened, it scared me.”

**Sobriety and Mental Health**

By 2018, Smith committed to sobriety, finding clarity and focus. “When I don’t drink and I’m not smoking cigarettes, when I’m completely clean, I feel so focused and happy,” they shared.

In 2020, Smith opened up about deeper struggles: “I’ve always been sad, but for the first time, I actually really had mental health issues, like panic attacks, anxiety, depression. I think it was PTSD.” After abruptly ending a Cape Town performance in 2019 and canceling appearances, they addressed these challenges publicly, documenting 18 months of therapy.

**Embracing Authenticity**

On September 13, 2019, Smith announced they were changing their pronouns to they/them. “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender, I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out,” they declared—a milestone in self-acceptance and representation.

**Finding Freedom**

By October 2025, Smith had relocated to New York City. Appearing on *The Late Show*, they beamed: “Being in New York, I feel the most free I’ve ever felt.” They’re now preparing for a Brooklyn residency titled “To Be Free: New York City.”

Smith’s journey reminds us that true artistry is inseparable from personal truth—and that self-acceptance, creativity, and authenticity endure beyond fleeting fame.