Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith, known for chart-toppers like Unholy, Fire on Fire, and I’m Not the Only One, recently shared deeply personal details about their early struggles with body image. Appearing on actor Penn Badgley’s podcast Podcrushed, the 33-year-old artist—who uses they/them pronouns—opened up about being teased over their weight as a child and revealed that they underwent liposuction at just 13 years old.
“My weight as a kid was the hardest thing for me in school, and weirdly, the thing I probably got teased the most about,” Sam told Penn and co-hosts Sophie Ansari and Nava Kavelin. They explained that as a teenager, they developed a growing chest that drew bullying and ridicule. “I had surgery on my chest when I was 13 years old because I had a growing chest. There were all sorts of reasons why, but mainly that I was just getting so teased,” they said.
Sam recalled that their parents were “hugely supportive” of the decision, as they witnessed how much the teasing affected their confidence. However, the surgery didn’t bring the relief Sam had hoped for. “It was a nightmare,” they admitted, explaining that the operation didn’t resolve their struggles with self-image or eating habits.
They humorously recounted wearing a medical bandage meant for post-surgery recovery far longer than recommended. “I was only meant to wear it for a month, but I kept it on for nearly a year because it let me skip the lunch queue,” they said, adding that the surgery “never really worked” since their love for food persisted.
Currently, Sam is performing in their To Be Free residency in New York City, which began in October and runs until December 13, before moving to San Francisco through March 2026.
