Sam Smith confirms engagement to designer Christian Cowan

Singer Sam Smith has confirmed their engagement to fashion designer Christian Cowan, a relationship that has directly inspired their forthcoming album. The 34-year-old artist, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, made the announcement in an interview published on July 28, referring to Cowan, 32, as their fiancé.

The couple’s relationship is the creative heart of Smith’s upcoming album, “Hazel Eyes,” a title chosen for the color of Cowan’s eyes. Smith revealed that the album’s lead track, “Everlasting Love,” was written the night before their first date and marks the first time they have written songs about requited love. The album is scheduled for release on August 12. In discussing the project, Smith framed their open celebration of queer love as a deliberate act. They said there is something radical about being queer in this time, in this world, and singing love songs, adding that they refuse to allow the negativity they encounter to affect their way of loving.

Smith and Cowan have been linked since late 2022 and made their public debut as a couple at the Met Gala in May 2024. Their red-carpet appearances have since become collaborative showcases of Cowan’s...