A New Chapter in New York
Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith is officially engaged to fashion designer Christian Cowan.
The 34-year-old artist confirmed the milestone during a recent interview with the New York Times, referring to Cowan, 32, as their “fiancé” for the first time. The couple has been in a relationship for just over two years.
While they kept their romance private initially, Smith and Cowan made their formal public debut as a couple at the 2024 Met Gala.
Romance and Anonymity
The relationship is heavily influencing Smith’s upcoming music. Their new album, Hazel Eyes, set for an August release, takes its title directly from Cowan’s eye color.
“It’s a very romantic album, and very, just kind of proud in the romance,” Smith explained during an appearance on the Dish podcast. “You know, I like flowery, beautiful things, so I’ve leaned into that and I’m just very proud of it. I love it.”
Relocating to New York has also given Smith a surprising level of personal freedom. When asked if high-profile couples can live anonymously in the city, Smith was optimistic.
“I think you can. I do. I always feel like I’m left alone,” Smith said. “If anyone comes up to me, they’re normally very complimentary, which is fabulous for my ego, instead of like, ‘Who the f*** is that?’”
Still, city life brings its own unique encounters. “It’s the only city in the world if I wear a miniskirt, I get wolf whistled,” Smith noted. “I had a guy like bang my ass once and be like, ‘Fancy a kiss?’”
The Hunt for Proper Fish and Chips
While Smith is thriving in the United States, they admit to experiencing intense homesickness for one specific British staple: proper fish and chips.
“Its actually one of the disasters of my life right now. It’s like I actually get sad sometimes,” Smith confessed. “Apparently, it’s something to do with the potato, I got told, and the water in New York and you can’t get it the same.”
Smith has strict standards for the dish, outright rejecting high-end restaurant variations.
“I love fish and chips from fish and chip shops where like the chips like stick together. And you’ve got like the silver hot plate when you walk in,” Smith explained. “I feel like the gastropub fish and chips, um, like I call them posh fish and chips, I don’t see that as fish and chips.”
Even in the UK capital, Smith struggles to find the perfect meal. Their ultimate benchmark remains a family favorite up north.
“And like even in London, I find it hard to find like proper fish and chips. Like my family from Whitley Bay, my favorite fish and chip shop is called Marshall’s there—which is amazing,” Smith said. “When people talk about fish and chips, they’re not talking about the same fish and chips I am.”
