Sam Smith has announced their engagement to long-term partner Christian Cowan. The 34-year-old singer revealed to the New York Times that Cowan is now their fiancé after three years together.
Album Inspired by Relationship
The engagement comes ahead of Smith's fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, named after Cowan's eye colour. The record chronicles the progression of the pair's relationship. Smith began composing the opening track, Everlasting Love, before their first date and finished it while in the relationship.
Cowan, a fashion designer whose clients include Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Heidi Klum, worked with Smith on styling for the music video of their 2023 song I'm Not Here To Make Friends.
Public Appearances and Privacy
The couple were seen holding hands in New York months later and made a joint appearance on the Met Gala red carpet in May 2024. Smith had previously expressed a desire to keep their romantic life private.
Speaking to GQ in October 2022, Smith said: 'Over the last few years, as I've become confident in my skin, I've got loads of wonderful romantic attention. It's been incredible. I've decided that I will always keep that private now. I have had relationships where I've shared stuff online and talked about it here and there. And I just don't want to do that. I think being loved by someone is such a gift – for yourself. And I think my job can get in the way of that – the purity of that love – sometimes.'
Background
Smith's debut album, In the Lonely Hour, was released in 2014 and reached number one in the UK. The singer came out as non-binary in 2017.
