The 'Unholy' singer once again sparks backlash over their sensual performance on stage that features religious imagery and racy outfits, such as red devil horns and nipple tassels.
- Apr 17, 2023
AceShowbiz - Sam Smith has sparked yet another controversy with their performance. The English singer/songwriter has drawn backlash over their "satanic" and "sexualized" performance after they kicked their tour Wednesday night, April 12 in Sheffield.
On "Gloria the Tour" show, the Grammy Award winner, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, featured religious imagery and dressed in a series of racy looks. They wore red devil horns, sheer veils and wire crowns before changing into a nipple tassels and fishnets.
Needless to say, some of concertgoers were appalled by what they saw, with internet personality Oli London among those criticizing Sam's performance. "Last night Sam Smith performed a satanic show filled with sexual references, fetish gear, a strip tease and a grotesque imitation of sex acts on stage while children were in the audience," he tweeted.
The 33-year-old, who has criticized what he calls "gender ideology" after he converted to Christianity, added, "On stage he performed a strip routine while in fetish gear. Is this appropriate for kids?"
Another blasted the "Unholy" singer, "[Sam Smith] is a disgusting satanic pervert. Any serious society would give this demon the Old Yeller treatment." A third critic said, "This whole performance is satanic!"
A shocked concertgoer added, "The rest of us don't want satanic erotica!" A fifth user wrote on Twitter, "This is vulgar and satanic." Another disappointed fan said, "He's taking entertainment to extreme levels! When you have the voice, I don't understand the need to sexualise a performance like that."
However, there were still a few who enjoyed the show. "Immaculate voice. Incredible performer. Superb stage set up. Top singers and musicians," someone raved. Another gushed, "Sam Smith did not disappoint - love love love!" Someone else said, "Had the pleasure of seeing Sam Smith in Sheffield tonight, what a show; what a voice!!"
This isn't the first time Sam drew backlash over their stage performance. Earlier this year, the "Stay With Me" hitmaker was slammed following their "Unholy" performance with Kim Petras at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Some viewers likened the extravagant performance to "devil worshipping," with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz denouncing the production as "evil."
