Transformation of Oscar-Winning Singer Sam Smith, Who Was ‘Scared’ of Fame for Years – 30+ Photos

From an Oscar win at 23 to a candid battle with fame and identity, Sam Smith's striking transformation has unfolded across headlines, stages, and more than 30 compelling images.

For more than a decade, Sam Smith's public image has evolved before our eyes. From the wide-eyed newcomer with a voice like velvet to a battle-worn artist confronting their demons, every transformation came with a deeply personal chapter behind it.

Sam Smith pictured with their mother and siblings, dated March 31, 2019 | Source: Facebook/samsmithworld

Through towering career highs, devastating mental health struggles, and identity milestones, Smith has refused to let the world define them. Instead, they've rewritten the narrative, and with each reinvention, offered a mirror to their truest self. This is the story of that shift: told in their words and captured in images.

A throwback picture of Sam Smith, dated January 6, 2019 | Source: Facebook/samsmithworl

Sam Smith attends the MusiCares Person of the Year on January 24, 2014 | Source: Getty Images

In 2016, Smith was awarded the Oscar for Best Original Song for "The Writing's on the Wall," the theme for the James Bond film Spectre.

Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes winners of the Best Original Song award for "Writing's on the Wall" from "Spectre" seen backstage at the 88th Annual Academy Awards on February 28, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

At just 23 years old, Smith became part of Bond history, with their win marking only the second time a song from the franchise had taken home the award, the first being Adele's "Skyfall" in 2013.

Sam Smith posed backstage on Day 4 of Latitude Festival on July 21, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith attends the Q Awards in central London on October 21, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

Like Adele, Smith had already won a Golden Globe for the track ahead of the Academy Awards, further solidifying their place in the music industry at an early stage.

Sam Smith attends the 56th GRAMMY Awards on January 26, 2014 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith visits at SiriusXM Studios on June 12, 2014 | Source: Getty Images

As Smith's career took off, the pressure that came with global recognition quickly became overwhelming. Speaking to The Sun in 2018, they admitted, "I get massive anxiety. I really struggle."

Sam Smith poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards on February 21, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala on February 7, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Reflecting on high-profile appearances like the Grammys, Smith said, "I thought I would be more in control of my body and emotions, but I get so nervous, to the point I'm almost having panic attacks."

Sam Smith accepts the Best New Artist award from singer Taylor Swift onstage during the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 8, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith poses in the press room during the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 8, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

At times, they leaned on those closest to them. "Sometimes I need people who I love around me to tell me, 'Pull yourself together, you're being a drama queen — it's too much now, Sam, so rein it in,'" they revealed.

Sam Smith attends the Elle Style Awards on February 24, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith attends the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 18, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Smith also spoke bluntly about the emotional price of fame. They shared, "The fame is something I thought I wanted, and when it happened, it scared me."

Sam Smith at a reception for British Oscar winners on May 4, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith poses in the press room during the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Their honesty turned even more raw when addressing their self-destructive patterns. "I was going out drinking way too much. Of course, you want to celebrate that these amazing things have happened, but you can't celebrate all the time," they added.

Sam Smith performs onstage during day 2 of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 on April 16, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

At the time of the interview, Smith was three weeks sober and determined to stay clean while on tour.

Sam Smith is seen on April 28, 2017 | Source: Getty Images

"I never want to make promises, but being sober is something I’m interested in," they said. "When I don't drink and I'm not smoking cigarettes, when I’m completely clean, I feel so focused and happy."

Sam Smith performs on the "Today" show on November 8, 2017 | Source: Getty Images

Smith revealed how freeing it was to break from old habits. "I am more fun when off the booze — it's nice. I am enjoying it now, and we will see how it goes," they shared.

Sam Smith attends the iHeartRadio album release party on November 8, 2017 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith attends the "Raise Your Voice" concert on March 5, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

In a 2020 interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Smith opened up about the toll of their rising fame.

Sam Smith pictured during season 6 of "The Red Nose Day Special" on May 16, 2020 | Source: Getty Images

"I've always been sad, but for the first time, I actually really had mental health issues, like panic attacks, anxiety, depression. It really hit me hard. I think it was PTSD, probably from before," they shared.

Sam Smith performs on the South Lawn of the White House on December 13, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

That confession came after a series of alarming events in 2019. Fans first grew concerned when Smith abruptly ended a performance in Cape Town, South Africa, due to anxiety.

Sam Smith attends the 21st NRJ Music Awards at Palais des Festivals on November 9, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Soon after, they cancelled several appearances, including a much-anticipated duet with Normani at the Billboard Music Awards. Later that year, they addressed the growing concerns head-on in a since-deleted Instagram post.

Sam Smith performs on the South Lawn of the White House before Joe Biden signs H.R. 8404, The Respect for Marriage Act into law on December 13, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

Smith revealed they had spent 18 months in therapy, saying, "Looking back on a year and a half of therapy and what has been probably the most challenging time of my short 27 years here."

Sam Smith poses on the red carpet upon arrival for the BRIT Awards in London on February 11, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

"I've watched and read so much over the last 6 months to try and make sense of all the mess in my head," they wrote. "Tried to find ways to organise all of my problems so that they are bound and organised into folders and boxes, so that they will never haunt me or effect me again [sic]."

Sam Smith poses on the red carpet at the BRIT Awards on February 11, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Sam Smith appears on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" during an interview on January 19, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

On September 13, 2019, Smith shared one of the most defining messages of their career.

Sam Smith arrives for the KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on December 6, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

"Today is a good day, so here goes," they began. "I've decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM ❤ after a lifetime of being at war with my gender. I've decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out…"

Sam Smith performs in concert during KALORAMA Madrid on August 31, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

After years of coded interviews and emotional breadcrumbs, Smith had finally stepped into the light of self-ownership.

Sam Smith presents a creation by Vivienne Westwood for the Women Ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2024/2025 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week on March 2, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

In October 2025, Smith appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," radiating something new — confidence, peace, even joy.

Sam Smith pictured during a performance, dated August 4, 2024 | Source: Facebook/samsmithworld

Sam Smith poses for a picture, dated September 10, 2024 | Source: Facebook/samsmithworld

"I have moved here. Crazy," they said of their relocation to New York City. And when Stephen Colbert asked how it felt, Smith beamed, "Weirdly—not wearily — but being in New York, I feel the most free I've ever felt."

Sam Smith poses for a picture, dated November 3, 2025 | Source: Facebook/samsmithworld

At the time of their interview, Smith was preparing for their boldest creative venture yet — a Brooklyn residency titled "To Be Free: New York City."