Sam Smith has kicked off their worldwide ‘Gloria’ tour, promoting their album of the same name. The tour began on Wednesday night in Sheffield, England. It follows their biggest hit ‘Unholy’. The collaboration with Kim Petras went to number one in the US, UK and elsewhere last fall.
Smith has posted of their excitement at bringing their latest show to arena stages. After the UK, it heads out over the rest of Europe and then North America.
On Wednesday, Smith posted a clip of the show in which they welcome the audience to their “gay cabaret.” Smith wears thigh-high leather boots, fishnet stockings and a gold corset.
Elsewhere in the show, Smith strips down to just underwear, while they also dress as a devil in another part of the set.
Smith got emotional as they spoke to the audience on the opening night.
“Seeing all of you to look at is a joy. Welcome to the Gloria tour. It has been so, so long since I have been on a stage like this. It’s been five years and a lot has happened.”
Then, becoming tearful, Smith continued: “I just want to say thank you so much for being with me through these crazy times, it means the world to me. As long as you are happy, I will sing for you every night.”
Needless to say, like everything Smith has done lately, the show has split opinions on social media.
Many of Smith’s fans have praised the queer singer for being their authentic self, embracing body positivity and demonstrating self-love.
“Satanic”
However, others expressed outrage… as if pop singers haven’t been producing risqué performances for decades.
Others were quick to clap back, accusing the critics of homophobia, fatphobia and femme-phobia.
“Supercharged queer romp”
The show is split into three sections: ‘Love’, ‘Beauty’ and ‘Sex’. Away from the hysteria of Twitter, it’s had genuinely positive reviews. Yorkshire Live called it “fun”, adding, “From the mesmerizing ballads to the more up-tempo numbers, there really is something for everyone.”
The Guardian gave the “supercharged queer romp” 4 out of 5 stars, saying it starts sluggish but builds in momentum and spectacle.
“Themes of joy and self-love, delivered via a roaring queer party, continue into the final act. Covering Madonna’s ‘Human Nature’, Smith buoyantly sings ‘express yourself, don’t repress yourself’ while shirtless in leather shorts and fishnets – it’s a powerful moment of proudly owning and reclaiming a body that has been subject to bullying.”
The Gloria tour’s first US show is in Miami on July 25th. We’re not expecting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to buy himself a ticket…
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abfab
BRAND NEW NATALIE MERCHANT ALBUM OUT TODAY
Seth
Now this is the content I come here for! Natalie is generally worth a hundred of anyone posted about here.
FreddieW
Well, I don’t like the Gunsmoke saloon girl look, but I can’t get past the 3rd person plural pronoun to attend to it.
GlobeTrotter
Same here. Everyone’s entitled to their own delusion – not, however, to my collusion.
Eternal.Cowboy
@FreddieW – They has been consistently used as a singular pronoun since the 1300. You might want to catch up. And consider getting past it.
@Globe – I don’t imagine Smith is searching for your approval. In fact I don’t imagine anyone is. He’s reached mass acceptance and you … well umm … you are a troll on a queer website. I hope you make a happy home in irrelevance
Diplomat
“They has been consistently used as a singular pronoun since the 1300s”.
Total baseless garbage. You can’t prove that one nit.
Den
@ the never diplomnatic (as if he has no idea what words mean) Diplomat:
There is this thing called the Oxford English Dictionary which is the well established authority on usage and etymology of our language ‘THEY” has in fact been used as a singular nongendered reference to individuals since the late 14th century (they cite a 1375 reference). They have considered the use as appropriate where gender is to be concealed or considered irrelevant since 1998, and authoritative style manuals have OKd the use since 1996.
They (the OED) are arbiters of correct usage while your imagination or personal distastes never will be.
Language goes through changes over time, usages appear and disappear. I realize that is difficult for simple minds, but it nonetheless remains the case.
Diplomat
Oh please, you’re going to try and stick us with that weak argument? Total fail. Yes they is used when the sex of the person that has not been seen is not known. That’s correct grammar. They is not used when the sex is known. Such a tired try. End of story.
Den
Read the article little boy. shooting your mouth off with no factual support makes clear the idiot you so obviously are. The fact that you use the name Diplomat, when you don’t even know what it means is a good indication of your stupidity.
And like all right wing twits, you are thrown into a tizzy by things that have no affect whatsoever on your life. as if someone choosing a pronoun that makes you piss your diapers has some effect on your quality of life (which must be horrible). Just grow up!
Diplomat
Obviously your colostomy bag broke old man cuz you stink like an overfilled outhouse, as do your etimology “facts”.
FreddieW
1300’s? Do you think you could understand an English sentence from 1300 well enough to pick out the pronouns?
Yes, I’ve heard all that nonsense. But sorry, I was educated like most everyone else in the United States to use “they” as 3rd person plural. And I’m not going to speak like a latter day ignoramus because it’s suddenly PC to do so.
What you get when you reference an individual as “they” in writing is so much gibberish.
Den
Gee, I’m not familiar with colostomy bags, though obviously you are. But you are obviously as unfamiliar with the OED as you are with diplomacy or the changing nature of language. Poor sad child.
inbama
“For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like.”
– Miss Jean Brodie
Rambeaux
Like “they” or not, “them” knows how to pack a theatre.
lacciani
Smith should do a biopic of Divine, they are so much alike!
Den
Divine was considerably heavier than Smith. And she was not really a singer, though definitely a good actor. When in street clothes as Glenn he was charming and reserved. I had the pleasure of him visiting my nursery a few times (he was a plant lover) when he was in SF for a time, as well as running into him on the street. Neither you or I have any idea what Smith is like offstage beyond gossip.
The notion that he and Divine were “so much alike” is ridiculous.
Ronbo
Divine was an entertainer who made waves – much like Sam. I’ve danced to Divine along with most gays out of middle-school. So let’s not disrespect the people who opened the door for Sam.
And please be honest. Unlike Madonna and Divine, Sam has hideous taste in clothing. It’s like a sausage exploded in a circus. Divine was interesting and Madonna was a style-maker for multiple generations.
Let’s just leave it at the truth: Sam is perfect for the radio.
Mr. Stadnick
So much hate Sam Smith must be doing something right!
smittoons
Surely there’s a third way here where people
can dislike Sam Smith’s attention-seeking and find limited artistic merit in their avant-garde spectacle but also don’t think they are a Satan-worshipping abhorrence that deserves to be bullied online?
DennisMpls
Jeez, smittoons, where have you been? Don’t you know that only binary thinking is allowed in the modern world?
GlobeTrotter
I haven’t read anyone here “hating” Sam Smith or saying he deserves to be bullied online. No one deserves that! The problem most reasonable people have is his irrational demand that society participates in his obvious delusion by referring to him in the third person. He deserves our empathy, not our admiration.
barryaksarben
suck it globetrotter. HE is getting ONLINE hate constantly and was attacked don the street. This is an act nothing more than Alice Cooper etc. Like they say about all those has been comedians like Chris Rock if you dont like it dont go. If it offends you are snowflakes isn’t that exactly what they say so suck it all you who hate him. I support all our gay artists and pronouns mean less than nothing to me and its that is what bothers you grow the F up
still_onthemark
“their authentic self” lol
ShaverC
barryaksarben, He was yelled at on the street. That is not an attack.
Glynn
ShaverC, Sam Smith was spat at in the street – it sure feels like an attack when it lands, believe me!
ShaverC
Glynn, Sam came out as non-binary in 2019, and soon after that he claims the spitting incident happened. But he only speaks of it in Jan 2023. Why wouldn’t he mention it then, when it’s happening? Something to think about.
Den
@shaver (who, if emotional age determined puberty, would still not have to shave):
What IS something to think about is that victims of attacks like this sometimes need a long time to speak of them publicly. Do you discount/deny claims people make of past rapes or childhood abuse or traumatic hate? I suspect you are dull enough that you do.
ShaverC
Den, It’s not difficult to figure out when someone is lying or stretching the truth. In this case I suspect he’s lying because 1. He loves drama and would’ve absolutely used it at the time to gain victim points. 2. I read the interview and he didn’t talk about it as something that affected him, it was almost like a throw away comment “… oh and someone spit on me…” type of thing.
Den
“He loves drama and would’ve absolutely used it at the time to gain victim points.”
Gosh! I didn’t realize you knew him personally or had spent time with him!
SOOOOOO sorry!
ShaverC
Den, It sure seems like you know him. Do you think someone who acts and dresses like him doesn’t want attention?
Den
I am not aware of how he dresses on the street beyond several pictures I have seen of him in outfits I would not wear, but which are otherwise not beyond the pale. You might like to be invisible or frumpy, but that does not mean everyone does. Nor does it mean that someone being dressed up in a way you personally dislike is a “cry for attention” or a neuroses in the way your belief you are the arbiter of public decorum might be.
When he is on stage or TV or an interview, seeking attention is obviously the game. I make no assumptions beyond that BECAUSE I don’t know him. Clearly you think you do for some odd reason.
ShaverC
Den, I do not know him personally, but there is enough out there to make an informed opinion. You said, “When he is on stage or TV or an interview, seeking attention is obviously the game.” Which just backs up my disbelief of his “spitting” story.
I don’t think I gave my opinion if I like or dislike his way of dress but I’m just saying he knows that wearing what he’s wearing and doing what he’s doing these days gets him attention. It seems like he doesn’t care if it’s good or bad, and to me, it is bad attention. It’s kind of sad that the only reason I know of him is because of his antics and not because of his music.
JTinToronto
Didn’t Madonna already do all of this decades ago? If I want to see Madonna I’ll go and see Madonna. Pass.
barryaksarben
HE has an amazing voice and if you dont see a singer because of what they are wearing is childish BS
Den
Smith is an extremely talented vocalist with a huge range and a nimble instrument. Madonna is a mediocre singer who has always required the assistance of engineers to sound at all good, both on record and live. Smith does not need a stage show). Madonna does. Smith is simply having fun I suspect (though I question its career value).
BlaqueCatt
Now I see the reason for the pronoun “they”….there are at least two people stuffed into that outfit.
inbama
And neither of them are attractive.
Den
@inbama
“And neither of them are attractive.”
Bette Midler is not particularly attractive. Ella Fitzgerals was not at all attractive, Sara Vaughn was barely attractive. Mel Torme was not particularly attractive. What exactly is your point? Do talented vocalists and writers have to meet your standards (which are probably hideously redneck judging from your posts…backwards ball caps and obvious meth use perhaps) to be seen? Smith is clearly having fun, and will probably do more good in the world than you ever will or could. Get over yourself!
Den
My comment to inbama goes for you as well. I doubt you are model material if intellectual ugliness is reflected on the outside.
London_resistance
I run a soap factory and am on the lookout for fat buggers to boil down.
Do you think plump Sam would volunteer?
Does anyone know him/they, if so could they ask him/they ?
Diplomat
I haven’t heard he goes by him they which works for me. Only they them. Blech. Total disrespect.
Den
Hey, little boy, you’ll be happy to know you won for the most childish and stupid post I have ever seen. I didn’t think there would be many 9 year olds on this site. Does your mum know you are here? Or is she too busy turning tricks?
Diplomat
Den,
You know, if you’d have remembered to pull that oversized butt plug out of your ass last night you probably wouldn’t be so miserably teste. You just wreak of nasty little bitch syndrome.
Den
“You just wreak of nasty little bitch syndrome.”
The proper term would be “reek” in this case. And the other word you were looking for is “testy”. So I’m correct in assuming you do not really know our language here in the US or other English speaking countries! Or perhaps never actually learned to use a dictionary. Or are simply a dullard.
But apparently you like the childishness and idiocy of the comment I was responding to (boiling Smith for tallow). That does not say anything good about you at all. Perhaps you are a hetero troll who likes the idea of killing gay folk. Would not surprise me at all.
Diplomat
I don’t give a rats ass if you want to add unfkt school marm to your resume. Doesn’t delete the fact you are an illiterate they them douche. Get over it.
Den
“Diplomat
I don’t give a rats ass if you want to add unfkt school marm to your resume. Doesn’t delete the fact you are an illiterate they them douche. Get over it.”
Illiterate? How exactly? Be specific child.
And I really don’t care about pronouns, never specify mine and try to use those that others feel good about if specified. I imagine that would send you into a real tizzy. Possibly make your little head explode.
Do you understand that using chosen pronouns is a tiny little act of respect for others that costs people nothing (inless they have the kinds of issues you seem to)? Do you know what respect for others is? Does your self-absorption prevent having respect for others? And how often do you need to change your colostomy bag?
Terrycloth
I think he should put on his site for tickets and on the tickets themselves ADULTS ONLY..He used to stand and sing his songs .now he’s full out little Naz..he’s gone beyond gay ..enchanted. he’s not for me..he can be super gay. Reminds me of the queens who try to hit on.you in bars .the look at me aren’t I special. Ypu don’t know just how ” special ” you are
JPB
Can’t wait for Ron Desantis’ comments on July 26th!! LOL
inbama
One day, when he realizes the only thing attractive about him is his bank account, he’ll go into therapy, slim down, shed the Singular They, and start a new career as a Weight Watchers spokesman.
Eternal.Cowboy
Have you considered seeking help, I don’t think your fetishization of trans and non-binary people is particularly healthy. You also have strained relationship with the truth that seems almost like a compulsion to lie. There are mental health professionals that can help you with these things.
Diplomat
Haha hilarious.
He may have a medical problem that has to do with his weight issue. When he loses the they them garbage he’ll be much more liked. I find his work awesome and I don’t mind his body antics, he’s trying to get past himself and I give him kudos for that.
inbama
@Eternal Cowboy (or should I say AKA abfab?)
Unlike you, I do not believe nonsense. We are seeing gay rights being set back some 50 years with accusations from the days of Anita Bryant being used not just to strip away our rights but to encourage physical violence against us.
If you think wanting LGBTQIA+ people to embrace reality rather than absurd explanations hatched in so-called “Gender Studies” and fight back on solid intellectual ground is a sign of mental illness, clearly you are the one who needs a muzzle and a straightjacket.
Den
One day when you grow up enough to understand you are not the arbiter (look it up child) of other people choice of presentation, you might give up your right wing anti-lgbt leanings. You are clearly a tool of MTG, Bobert, Gaetz, Trump et al (look it up, meth freak redneck). Rest assured Kay Ivey will never let you lick her clit no matter how much you want to. Nor will Tommy Tuberville ever let you suck his dick.
inbama
@Den
So you really think that because I live in Alabama and disagree with Democrats on Queer Theory – not actual LGBT rights like property, marriage, housing, employment, etc – I must therefore be a fan of Kay Ivy and want to suck off Tommy Tuberville?
If you don’t believe in “binary thinking,” you have a peculiar way of showing it.
Den
I never stated that I don’t believe in binary thinking. But I do take exception with assimilationists and those whose minds are so closed that they feel anybody whose way of being differs from theirs needs to either conform or hide themselves away. I take exception to those who cannot invest the energy in trying to understand or extend empathy to others, but instead excoriates them or encourages their marginalization. That is the way of the right, and especially the MAGA crown. And if the shoe fits (and it sure as hell seems to)….I see you as akin to Dave Rubin, Peter Theil, and those sorts who look down their nose at anyone outside their echo chamber, and in opposition of their enfranchisement.
Den
I have trans and non binary friends and acquaintances, and straight friends with trans kids. I don’t claim to understand either their nature or struggle, but I’m not going to demonize them or shun them as it seems you would. And because they are good, ethical people themselves I will support their fight.
Republicans would not, and you seem to fit that mold too. Assimilation and forced conformity just makes it a little harder for the right to find you when it comes time to push us back into the closet, into prisons, or into the ovens.
And that last is not completely far fetched.
Diplomat
To the they themers out there: to stay consistent, you need to refer to yourself as we and us, not I. Do ya get that?
Den
Do you ever look at etymological source material before you display your ignorance so proudly? (look up etymological, child).
And do you have any idea how ambiguous “themers” is? Is English even your first language?
Eternal.Cowboy
Sure, and if you are concerned about accuracy you are going to start calling yourself a bigot. Do ya get that?
Diplomat
Not a chance cupcake. Your illiterate use of the term bigot doesn’t apply here. I hold All American values regarding language. Those who violate it for their personal gain and self promotion are arrogant delusional self serving narcissists. Ya get that? Will you be using we us now EC?
If the shoe fits…
Ronbo
EC is the primary bigot at Queerty. IF it’s not “they, them”, EC attacks.
Some of us recognize and acknowledge BOTH sex and gender. Try it Cowboy. Why fight science?
GlobeTrotter’s words ring true. “Everyone’s entitled to their own delusion – not, however, to my collusion.” It’s polite to treat people as they wish; but, it doesn’t change science. XX and XY are real; gender is real. There is only one term for ignoring either: ignorance.
Noah
I get the impression that Sam surrounds himself with ‘yes men’. Because no real friend would tell him that what he’s wearing looks good or flatters his body shape. You can be a bigger guy/girl and still be sexy with the right style it’s not my intention to body shame, but it’s cringey, and I would feel that about anyone doing the same not just Sam Smith.
Den
Smith is having fun, could not give a shit what you think of the costumes, and lots of people do not give a shit either. Not my cup of tea, but Smith is a great vocalist.
Grow up.
inbama
Den,
Maybe you should get over yourself and stop with all the ignorant name-calling and filth. Calling everyone “child” while acting like one yourself is tiresome.
I don’t know if you’re drunk, demented or just trashy, but you have single-handedly dragged this blog into the gutter. Get a life.
johncp56
This is entertainment the songs are fun and show I wish i could go, all the religious comments are a hoot, its a show like your thoughts of hell and heaven are fake made up, and talk about snowflakes