Sam Smith recounts their ‘wild ride of self-realisation’ in tearful Attitude Awards acceptance speech
Sam Smith poses with the Attitude Person of the Year Award at the Attitude Awards 2019 at The Roundhouse. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Sam Smith broke down in an emotional acceptance speech after being named Person of the Year at the Attitude Awards last night.
The singer, 27, graced the red carpet in a glamorous lacy sheer kimono with matching trousers before standing behind the podium to a packed and star-studded Roadhouse, London.
Smith wiped tears from their cheek as they took to the stage, with the likes of Cheryl Tweedy, Dustin Lance Black and Joan Collins watching from afar.
The non-binary singer was showered with support from their fans after stating their preferred pronouns in an Instagram post last month.
Sam Smith: ‘The last year has been a wild ride of self-realisation’.
Suited attendees rose from their seats in rapturous applause as Smith was named Person of the Year at the ceremony, giggling as they shuffled sheafs of paper with their speech written on.
“This is incredibly overwhelming,” they said.
“Thank you so much to everyone in this room. Tonight just watching all of you has been amazing. There’s so much love in his room.
“The last year has been a wild ride of self-realisation and has almost felt like a second coming out.
The star continued: “The reason I’ve been able to show all sides of myself to the public is because I’ve felt incredibly safe.
“I’m so lucky to not only have an incredible family and team, but I also have access to talk to and seek help from the leaders and trailblazers of our community.”
Sam Smith dedicates speech to famous friends and LGBT+ trailblazers.
Smith thanked many member of the LGBT+ community and famous friends for their support during this time, highlighting activist Munroe Bergdorf especially for “fighting for us all passionately every day.”
As well as Alok Vaid-Menon, a gender nonconforming artist whom Smith took to a film premiere last month in their first public appearance since declaring their pronouns.
Alongside praising author Tom Rasmussen, whose book The diary of a Drag Queen came out earlier this year.
“Your book and words completely changed my life,” they said.
Smith ended: “Let’s live as loudly and as queerly as possible.”
In a tweet absolutely nobody saw coming or at all expected, Piers Morgan derided the singer after their win was announced on the magazine’s Twitter account:
Congrats them! https://t.co/QrpUBWbulF
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 10, 2019
“The LGBTQ community will never be brought down by bulling by this pathetic man-child’s dog-whistle comments,” Attitude hit back.
Who else won big at the Attitude Awards?
Mika, whose latest music video sees him cruising for gay sex, scored the Music Award.
Mika, winner of The Attitude Music. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Cheddar Gorgeous presented Peppermint with the Inspiration Award.
Peppermint (L) winner of The Attitude Inspiration award and Cheddar Gorgeous. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Gareth Thomas, who, after being outed as living with HIV has now put himself to the forefront of advocacy in the area, was given the Game Changer Award.
Gareth Thomas (L) poses with Clare Balding after winning the Game Changer award. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Dame Joan Collins, of course, won the Icon Award.
Dame Joan Collins winner of The Attitude Icon award. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Christine and the Queens frontperson, Eloise Le Tissier, picked-up the Artist Award.
Eloise Le Tissier winner of The Attitude Artist award. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
HIV campaigner Ruth Coker Burks was presented with the Hero Award via video link from former US president Bill Clinton.
Ruth Coker Burks poses with the Attitude Hero Award. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Shirley Ballas presented TV personality Dr. Ranj Singh with the Television Award.
Shirley Ballas (L) and Dr. Ranj Singh winner of The Attitude Television award. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
TV writer Russell T. Davies scooped up the Culture Award.
"Don't join in the hate game. Do what we do brilliantly, which is to love."
Russell T Davies accepts the Culture Award at the #AttitudeAwards pic.twitter.com/a5Co5T59Rl— Attitude (@AttitudeMag) October 10, 2019
Taron Egerton accepted the Film Award for his portrayal of Elton John in the movie Rocketman.
Taron Egerton (L) winner of the Film Award for Rocket Man and Tan France. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Ava Max was given the Breakthrough Award.
Ava Max poses after winning the Icon Award at the Breakthrough Awards. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Julian Clary gave Armistead Maupin the Literary Award
Julian Clary and Armistead Maupin, winner of The Attitude Literary Award. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Stonewall veteran and trailblazing activist Tree Sequoia accepted the Activism Award.
"The young should know what happened that night to keep our history alive."
Stonewall Inn barman Tree Sequoia accepts the Activism Award on behalf of the brave LGBTQ people who fought in the Stonewall uprising at the #AttitudeAwards pic.twitter.com/ETfELOxK0S— Attitude (@AttitudeMag) October 10, 2019
