Sam Smith Reveals Engagement & How Romance Inspired Their New Album

Sam Smith is writing a new chapter for their love story.

The Grammy-winning singer disclosed in a new interview with The New York Times that they’re engaged to fashion designer Christian Cowan, sharing the heartwarming news just days after releasing the latest single, “Oh Mother” feat. The TwoCity Chorus, off of their forthcoming fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes.

Smith confirmed that Cowan is now their fiancé while looking back on the relationship that inspired much of the album, due Aug. 21 via Capitol Records. They revealed that “Everlasting Love,” another track from Hazel Eyes, was first written the night before the couple’s first date. It wasn’t until the relationship began to blossom that the song was completed. The album’s title is also a nod to Cowan, whose hazel-colored eyes inspired its name.

The upcoming project follows 2023’s Gloria, which reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and featured megahit “Unholy” with Kim Petras that peaked No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2022. Across their career, Smith has earned 7 top 10 hits on the Hot 100, including the No. 2-peaking breakthrough ballad “Stay With Me,” while 2017’s The Thrill of It All debuted atop the Billboard 200.

Elsewhere in the interview, Smith speaks vulnerably about the process of making Hazel Eyes outside the traditional pop songwriting system, collaborating with a close-knit group of creatives (including indie singer-songwriter Feist) to make what they describe as a more personal and creatively freeing project.

Though songs on Hazel Eyes explore everything from the joy of finding lasting love to heartbreak and healing, Smith said they intentionally held onto the emotional contradictions that tend to come with happiness. “I feel all types of things all the time,” Smith told The Times. “In my happiest moments, I can get really sad.”

The singer also reflected on crafting openly queer love songs at a time when LGBTQ+ rights continue to face challenges, explaining why celebrating love is meaningful in itself.

“For me, there’s something radical about being queer in this time, in this world and singing love songs,” Smith said. “I’m not going to allow the poison that I read and that I see to affect my way of loving.”

Hazel Eyes is set for release Aug. 21.