Sam Smith and fashion designer Christian Cowan are taking the next major step in their three-year romance.
The 34-year-old Oscar and Grammy winner officially confirmed that Cowan, 32, is their fiancé in an interview with The New York Times published on Tuesday, July 28. Smith—who publicly came out as nonbinary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns—shared that their upcoming studio album, Hazel Eyes (releasing August 12), was directly inspired by their relationship and named in honor of Cowan’s distinct eye color.
Speaking candidly about creating art from a place of personal fulfillment, Smith reflected on the broader cultural significance of sharing their happiness publicly:
“For me, there’s something radical about being queer in this time, in this world, and singing love songs,” Smith told The New York Times. “I’m not going to allow the poison that I read and that I see to affect my way of loving.”
Smith also revealed that the opening track of the album, titled “Everlasting Love,” marks a monumental shift in their songwriting catalog: it represents the very first time they have written a track centered entirely around requited love.
The couple’s connection dates back to December 2022, when they were first photographed together during a visit to the White House alongside former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden following the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, where Smith performed. While Smith was historically intentional about keeping romantic details out of the press, the pair gradually opened up about their relationship over the following two years.
Their official red carpet debut arrived at the 2024 Met Gala, where both wore custom Cowan creations adorned with metal-plated roses—a subtle touch steeped in personal romantic history.
“Early on in our days, I gave Sam a metal-plated rose,” Cowan revealed to Vogue at the time. “So it was a nod to that moment.”
Cowan again dressed Smith for the Met Gala earlier this year, creating a dramatic, 52-pound black feathered ensemble. In a May Instagram post detailing the intricate construction, the designer proudly referred to the vocalist as his artistic muse:
“This look is a love letter to the king of fashion illustration,” Cowan wrote in the caption. “And to my love, Sam.”
For Smith, collaborating on high-fashion moments with their partner offers a rare level of creative trust and security:
“There’s no one who knows my body more than this man,” Smith shared during a joint interview with Cowan for Vogue. “I feel very lucky to be here and to wear your incredible talent like this. It’s amazing.”
