Sam Smith Discusses Childhood Weight Struggles and Liposuction
Sam Smith revealed in a podcast interview that persistent teasing about their weight in childhood led to liposuction at the age of 13. Speaking with Penn Badgley on the podcast Podcrushed, Smith shared how their body image struggles deeply affected their school life.
Bullying and Body Image Challenges
Smith explained that while they managed their queerness after coming out as gay at 10 years old, the hardest challenge was dealing with weight-related teasing. The bullying became so intense that it impacted daily activities like swimming:
“I was just getting so teased, I couldn’t go swimming in school.”
They added that changing in the locker room was particularly distressing:
“Getting changed in the locker room was hell.”
Support and Surgery Experience
With their parents’ support, Smith underwent chest liposuction at 13 due to a developing chest, hoping to alleviate the bullying. Although the surgery initially helped, Smith described the overall experience as difficult:
“The liposuction worked, but it was a nightmare.”
Despite being told the chest bandage was necessary for just a month post-surgery, Smith wore it for over a year. They shared a surprising reason for this:
“If I wore the bandage, it meant that I would get to the front of the lunch queue… Because everyone had to be sensitive about my chest.”
This backfired as it led to overeating:
“I’d just get first at lunch queue and I’d eat more and eat more and eat more. And so the surgery never really worked. Because I just love food.”
Summary
Sam Smith’s candid reflection highlights how childhood bullying over body image shapes personal struggles and coping mechanisms, reflecting the complex relationship many have with their bodies.