“Really disheartening”: Charli XCX defends Sam Smith from “hateful” trolls
Charli XCX has doubled down on her support of Sam Smith, just days after the announcement of their first song together. Ahead of the release ‘In the City’ (20 October), the pop songstress released a TikTok video defending Sam against an onslaught of online hate.
Charli opens the video and says: “I’m about to release a song with Sam Smith, and the experience so far has been really interesting because never in my life have I seen somebody receive so many hateful comments online. “It’s been really disheartening, but at the same time, I’m so proud of Sam’s ability to withstand that, because I know that I certainly couldn’t withstand it.” She closes the video with a powerful affirmation of support and validation for her co-collaborator: “So I just want to say Sam, I love you, I love our song together and I am in awe of your strength.” Although it is not known which specific hate the video pertains to, fans were quick to join Charli in their sentiments of support for the ‘Unholy’ singer.
One fan stated: “Sam is sooooo fricken talented, it’s absurd. They deserve all the fricken love and joy the world has to offer because they provide so much to others”.
Another fan added: “I feel like that has been standard when it comes to Sam. I don’t know why? They are so amazing and iconic.” Sam themselves have been quick to stand-up and support their LGBTQIA+ fans amid the rise of anti-trans hate in the UK, figures of which were recorded by a new statistical bulletin from the Home Office.
