‘What’s the need to Sєxualise a performance like that?!’: Sam Smith is slammed for ‘satanic’ Gloria tour show featuring religious imagery such as sheer veils, wire crowns and devil horns
Sam Smith has been slammed for yet more ‘satanic’ and ‘Sєxualised’ performances on their Gloria tour which kicked off this week and featured religious imagery.
The singer, 30, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, dressed in a series of racy looks with red devil horns, sheer veils and wire crowns before changing into a nipple tᴀssels and fishnets.
Brushing off the backlash to their recent BRITs performance which was also branded satanic, they clutched a sequinned red pitchfork while fires were seen burning around them as the band played.
The Unholy hitmaker, known for referencing religious imagery in their performances, sported a black bustier, fishnet tights and over-the-knee boots with red laces.
But after videos circulated of the tour show online some were quick to critique it for being overSєxualised and satanic. One said: ‘This whole performance is satanic!’
Another said: ‘The rest of us don’t want satanic erotica!’ Someone else said on Twitter: ‘This is vulgar and satanic.’ A fourth said: ‘He’s taking entertainment to extreme levels! When you have the voice, I don’t understand the need to Sєxualise a performance like that.’
Others enjoyed the show, with one saying: ‘Immaculate voice. Incredible performer. Superb stage set up. Top singers and musicians.’ Someone else said: ‘Sam Smith did not disappoint – love love love!’
A third said: ‘Had the pleasure of seeing Sam Smith in Sheffield tonight, what a show; what a voice!!’ They sported an array of edgy and eye-catching costumes as they put on a very energetic performance and belted out their smash hits.
They completed their edgy ensemble with a black caped coat featuring huge puffed sleeves swept across their shoulders. Sam then stripped down to black underwear, fishnet tights and black boots as they went shirtless while performing a cover of Madonna’s hit Human Nature.
They sported elbow-length gloves and draped a long sheer veil over their shoulders, which was fixed in place on their head with a gold wire-style headpiece. They later changed into a very extravagant pink ruffled tulle gown, which they wore in their I’m Not Here To Make Friends music video.
Sam was joined on stage by an array of backing dancers, who sported sheer glittering silver ensembles and waved pink fans towards the star. In another look, Sam dressed in an emerald green gown featuring puffed sleeves and matching gloves as they sang with ‘Queer’ written in ribbons above them.
Sam also changed into a white shirt and a black tie, which they paired with statement gold trousers and a matching jewelled corset. They completed the dazzling look with a gold sailor-style hat as they performed alongside an array of backing singers.
Sam has kicked off their Gloria tour and will go on to perform in London next week, before heading across to Europe for a string of shows in May. It is not the first time Sam has channeled religious-esque imagery in their performances, and prompted 100 Ofcom complaints at the BRITs.
They performed their new hit single Unholy along with Kim Petras, 30, at London’s O2 Arena in February. Sam dressed as the devil, complete with horns coming out of their hat, a similar look to the one they wore at the Grammys the week before.
A spokesperson for Ofcom told MailOnline: ‘We received 106 complaints about The Brit Awards on ITV1 on 11 February. ‘The majority of complaints related to Sam Smith’s performance, with the remainder about the use of offensive language and consumption of alcohol.’
It came just a week after Grammy viewers criticised Sam and Kim over their ‘satanic’ performance of Unholy. Sam was seen wearing satanic headgear in the horror movie-inspired performance, viewers flocked to social media to share their frustrations about the ‘demonic’ themes.
One tweeted: ‘I know we on the right probably use the word satanic too often but this performance from Sam Smith is literally a tribute to Satan.’
