Charli XCX has responded to the hateful comments she received about collaborating with Sam Smith on her upcoming song “In the City.”
The British musicians announced their new joint track last week on Instagram.
“I’m about to release a song with Sam Smith and the experience has been really interesting because I’ve never seen anyone get so many hateful comments online in my life,” Charlie (real name Charlotte Emma Aitchison), 35. This was revealed in a TikTok video posted on Tuesday (October 17).
“It was very disappointing, but at the same time I’m so proud of Sam’s ability to handle it because I know I definitely couldn’t handle it.”
Praising Smith, 31, for his strength, the “Speed Drive” artist added: “So I just want to say Sam, I love you, I love our song together.”
It is unknown where exactly the public hatred towards Smith came from, although it appears to have intensified after they came out as non-binary in 2019.
Reflecting on the backlash they received for coming out in an interview with James Corden in 2020, Smith said it was a “struggle.”
“It’s been amazing, but it’s also really, really hard to see all the backlash and the number of people who are still so unsupportive of gender non-conforming people and trans people around the world,” “I’m not the only one.” – the singer said then.
“It’s definitely a tougher fight than I expected, but I feel good in my skin and that’s a reward and a wonderful thing.”
Earlier this year, Smith’s performance of “Unholy” at the Brit Awards received more than 100 Ofcom complaints.
This comes after Smith and Kim Petras’ performance at the Grammys was criticized by many American conservatives.
Conspiracy theorists and conservative commentators expressed fears that the couples’ performance was part of a “satanic ritual.”
Elon Musk also commented on Smith and Petras’ performance, calling it an “end of days atmosphere.”
“If it’s Satan, we have nothing to worry about,” he tweeted.
On the Town will be released on October 19.