Smith cites Adele and Amy Winehouse as his main influences . In an interview with '' Rolling Stone '' , Smith cited Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey as the greatest R&B voices . The singer also lists Chaka Khan , Christina Aguilera , Beyoncé , Brandy , and Lady Gaga as influences . Smith said about a diva quality to his voice : In an October 2017 interview conducted by Elton John for '' Attitude '' magazine , Smith spoke of the impact of the success of his close friend Ed Sheeran . " It makes you push yourself . Watching him this past year has just been incredible , but yeah , of course it makes me hungry . ” In May 2014 , Smith came out to the public as gay . He acknowledged a relationship — since ended — with actor and model Jonathan Zeizel . At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards when " Stay with Me " won an award for Record of the Year he said , " I want to thank the man who this record is about , who I fell in love with last year . Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys ! " In 2017 , he stated his latest album , '' The Thrill of It All '' , showed " the gay guy I ’ve become . " Smith is a third cousin of singer Lily Allen and actor Alfie Allen . Smith is the godfather of close friend and collaborator Jimmy Napes ' son Jackson
57th Annual Grammy Awards
57th Annual Grammy Awards
Sam Smith (singer)