Sam Smith fans defend ‘I’m Not Here to Make Friends’ video

Fans are defending Sam Smith online after her latest music video drew a spate of anti-LGBTQ fat-phobic criticism.

Since the video for Smith’s new track “I’m Not Here to Make Friends” debuted on Friday, haters have physically shamed and misgendered the pop musician on social media.

In the video, the singer models a range of glamorous costumes — from a huge, fluffy pink coat to a white corset and matching nipple covers — and sings about her “blessings of a body to love.”

Some have claimed the images are overly sexual and unsuitable for children. Others have ridiculed Smith’s looks and/or accused him of being a “groomer” — a term often inaccurately used to denigrate members of the LGBTQ community. A few words internet trolls and conservative pundits have used to describe the video are “immoral,” “disgusting,” “vulgar,” and “depraved.”

Smith’s record label did not immediately respond to The Times request for comment on Tuesday.

However, numerous fans, members of the LGBTQ community and others have jumped to Smith’s defense and called out the complainants for their comments.

“wild how sam smith was probably one of the most popular queer artists out there by straight people for so many years, but all it took was a little weight gain and five seconds of presenting himself as anything but male for them to settle into.” a laugh turned stock of you people”, @gl99dys tweeted.

“I wanted to ask what Sam Smith did to deserve this hatred directed at them, but it’s literally that they’re gay and fat, isn’t it?” @das_penman tweeted. “that’s what matters.”

“The backlash against Sam Smith is absolutely about the fact that people don’t want others to be overtly sexual unless they’re skinny.” @marcusjdl tweeted. “If they did this routine with their abs exposed, there wouldn’t be any articles about this debate about whether it’s appropriate for kids.”

Several pointed out that the outfits and choreography in the I’m Not Here to Make Friends video were no more experimental and sex-positive than those of Smith’s predecessors and contemporaries. Because of her body and identity, some have argued that Smith faced double standards.

“There are thousands, if not millions, of far more sexually explicit pop videos than Sam Smith’s.” @AidanJohnMoffat tweeted. “Most of them will feature young girls. It must be exhausting being so hateful all the time. And being so afraid of differences.”

“I finally looked at the Sam Smith video and I was like, ‘This is…it?!'” @SoozUK tweeted. “Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon rejoiced almost 40 years ago in the ‘I Want To Break Free’ video. In the middle, Freddie squirms with ballet dancers. You bunch of prudes.”

“Harry Styles, a straight male, exhibits femininity and wears dresses in videos and is praised for it, Sam Smith, a non-binary person, does the same and is misgendered and shamed.” @keaaaaley tweeted. “Social media makes me sick.”

Smith released the music video for “I’m Not Here to Make Friends” along with her new album Gloria. See below for more responses to the backlash.