SAM SMITH ANNOUNCES ENGAGEMENT TO FASHION DESIGNER CHRISTIAN COWAN

Sam Smith has announced an engagement to Christian Cowan, a fashion designer, after three years of dating. Smith confirmed the news to the New York Times. Cowan has worked with Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Heidi Klum. Smith's fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, is named after Cowan's eye colour and documents the couple's relationship.

Smith and Cowan grew up ten minutes apart near Cambridge but met online four years ago. They were first linked publicly in 2023 when Cowan worked on costumes for Smith's music video "I'm Not Here To Make Friends". The pair walked the Met Gala red carpet together in May 2024. Smith moved to New York for Cowan and described feeling accepted in the city amongst other people who are "too much", which they characterised as a compliment.

Smith's debut album, In The Lonely Hour, reached number one in the UK in 2014. The singer came out as non-binary in 2017. In an October 2022 interview with GQ, Smith stated they intended to keep their romantic life private, saying that being loved by someone is "such a gift" and that their job could interfere with "the purity of that love". Hazel Eyes is scheduled for release on 12 August.