Sam Smith Gets Candid About His Sexuality: I Feared 'Offending' Other People

Sam Smith recently explained why it took quite a while for him to come out as gay.

Days before Smith released his second album, "Thrill of It All," the "Too Good at Goodbyes" singer got candid about his sexuality and why it took him years to admit that he is gay. According to Smith, he was afraid that he might say the wrong thing and offend the people around him.

"Looking back on it, it was the fear of saying the wrong thing and offending," Smith told The Sunday Times. "And I was 19 when I started writing the first album. I'd just moved to London from a village—I was literally the only gay in the village. I didn't know what I wanted to say."

The Grammy winner, who is now more confident after revealing his true sexuality, also explained that his new song, "Him," is about a son coming out to his father. "I think they show my growth, my confidence. I feel like they show me. They show the gay guy I've become," Smith said.

The "Stay with Me" singer also dished on his passion for female shoes, clothing and make-up while growing up. "I love a heel. I've got loads of heels at home," Smith confessed. "People don't know this, but when I was 17, I remember becoming obsessed with Boy George and Marilyn [Monroe], and all that. There was one moment in my life where I didn't own a piece of male clothing, really. I would wear full make-up every day in school, eyelashes, leggings with Dr. Martens and huge fur coats, for 2.5 years. ... I feel just as much woman as I am man."

In related news, Smith was previously criticized for his 2016 Oscar speech in which he claimed that he was the first openly gay person to win an Academy Award. Just recently, the singer addressed the backlash and confessed that he has a lot more to learn about the LGBTQ community.

"That's what I learned, that I need to take responsibility," Smith said. "I need to know my gay history before I speak on it. I need to read more, I need to open my mind and grow up."

Smith is currently romantically linked to "13 Reasons" star Brandon Flynn. The pair was photographed kissing and holding hands in New York.