Sam Smith has spoken candidly about the challenges of navigating the music industry as a non-binary person.
The Oscar-winning singer told fans in September that they now use they/them pronouns, saying: "I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try."
In a new interview with SiriusXM's Hits 1 in Hollywood, Smith said they're "loving" being able to show fans their true self, but added: "I mean, I’m scared every day".
"Being my feminine self in this world that we’re in, I mean the music industry can be a bit homophobic, a bit sexist at times," they continued. "So being feminine like this in the way I move and dance and am, it feels quite scary at times but is worth it."
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Smith also spoke about showing their true self by wearing heels in the video for recent hit "How Do You Sleep?"
"I felt very vulnerable doing it but I’m seeing now that’s the best space to be in. You feel joy quicker when being vulnerable like that," they said.
"I’ve always been like that when in the club, with friends, with people that I feel safe with but showing it to the world is a different thing and I finally felt safe enough to do so."
When speaking about their decision to embrace they/them pronouns in September, Smith said: "After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out. "