Sam Smith Says Childhood Bullying Led to Early Liposuction
Singer Sam Smith revealed in a recent interview that persistent teasing about their weight led them to undergo liposuction at just 13 years old. Speaking with Penn Badgley on his podcast Podcrushed, Smith opened up about a painful period in their youth marked by body image struggles and bullying.
Early Struggles and Self-Image
“I was just getting so teased, I couldn’t go swimming in school.”
Smith explained that while they could manage their identity and queerness, dealing with weight and appearance during childhood was far more difficult. They came out as gay at 10 but described weight-related bullying as the most damaging part of their school experience.
Liposuction at Thirteen
“Because I had a growing chest,”
With their parents’ support, Smith underwent chest surgery as a teenager to reduce excess tissue caused by early development. Despite initial hope, they said the outcome was emotionally and physically challenging.
“Though the liposuction worked, it was a nightmare.”
Smith shared that they were advised to wear a post-surgery bandage for one month but ended up keeping it on for more than a year. The bandage even gave them certain privileges at school.
Lasting Impact
“If I wore the bandage, it meant that I would get to the front of the lunch queue.”
They recalled how classmates were told to be careful around them, which resulted in Smith getting served first at lunch. Ironically, this led to overeating and weight gain, undermining the effects of the surgery.
“And so the surgery never really worked. Because I just love food.”
Author’s Summary
Sam Smith confessed that childhood bullying over weight triggered an early liposuction experience that left emotional scars, illustrating the long-term impact of body shaming on self-image.