Sam Smith says Madonna’s music has been a crucial “lifeline” for queer people – and a personal anchor for them as an artist.
The Stay With Me singer, 34, has hailed the Like a Virgin icon as a “mother” figure who consistently shows up for the LGBTQ+ community – and stepped in to support them at a moment when they needed it most.
Speaking on The Zane Lowe Show on Apple Music 1, Sam said: “Madonna is my mother. She’s just un‑f******‑real.”
Madonna reached out to Sam as soon as she heard about the backlash to their Kim Petras collaboration Unholy, its music video and performances of the song, which were called out for provocative imagery, queer themes, and even accused of devil worship.
Sam said: “She [Madonna], the minute it happened, she made sure she got through to me. And she’s so aware of queer news and what’s happening in the community, [what’s happening] to the artists within the community.”
Sam said of Madonna’s longstanding support of the LGBTQ+ community: “You feel that in her music. Her music is a lifeline to queer people and just all of the eras of her and her stamina and how she’s just always carried on and on and on. I just find it very inspiring.”
They added that Madonna’s influence goes beyond fandom: “I think a lot of queer people find [her music] inspiring. And it’s not just a comfort in my personal life; it’s a comfort in my music.”
The Queen of Pop presented Sam and Kim Petras, 33, with their award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance prize for Unholy at the 2023 Grammys, where she celebrated the duo’s “fearlessness” amid the controversy.
She said onstage: “Are you ready for a little controversy? Come on people, let’s make some noise. Y’all are going to sleep over here.
“So, here’s what I’ve learned after four decades in music – if they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative or dangerous, you’re definitely on to something.
“I’m here to give thanks to all the rebels out there forging a new path and taking the heat for all of it. You guys need to know – all you troublemakers out there – you need to know that your fearlessness doesn’t go unnoticed. You are seen, you are heard; and most of all, you are appreciated.
“So now, speaking of controversy, it gives me great pleasure to introduce two incredibly talented artists who have risen above the noise, the doubt, the critics; into something beautifully unholy. Here are two Grammy Award winners, Sam Smith and Kim Petras.”
Sam and Madonna, 68, ended up writing the track Vulgar shortly after the Grammys, on which they reclaimed the word after it was used to describe Sam’s outfits.
Watch or listen to Sam Smith’s episode anytime on demand with an Apple Music subscription.