Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith confirmed they are engaged to fashion designer Christian Cowan, revealing the happy news in a new interview with The New York Times. While discussing their upcoming album, Hazel Eyes, Smith casually referred to Cowan as their fiancé, confirming the couple is taking the next step after nearly four years together.
The engagement also sheds new light on the inspiration behind Smith’s next musical era. The singer revealed the new album, arriving Aug. 21, is named after Cowan’s eye color and is largely inspired by their relationship.
“For me, there’s something radical about being queer in this time, in this world, and singing love songs,” Smith told the publication. “I’m not going to allow the poison that I read and that I see to affect my way of loving.”
Smith has described the album as their most personal yet, saying they spent more than three years creating the record with a close group of collaborators while documenting the lessons they learned through love.
“This record and this music is incredibly romantic,” Smith said in a statement announcing the album. “I’ve learned so many life lessons through making this album, and I’ve documented it all through the music.”
The album’s lead single, “My Guy,” captures that sentiment perfectly. Smith called it the song they had “been waiting a lifetime to write,” celebrating the feeling of being completely loved in return rather than longing for someone out of reach.
Their Relationship Timeline
The couple first sparked romance rumors in late 2022 after appearing together at the White House celebration for the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, where Smith performed. They later made their official red carpet debut at the 2024 Met Gala wearing coordinating custom looks designed by Cowan, featuring metal-plated roses inspired by one of the first gifts he gave Smith early in their relationship.
Since then, the pair have become one of fashion’s most stylish couples. Cowan has dressed Smith for multiple high-profile events, including this year’s Met Gala, where he described the elaborate custom design as “a love letter” to his partner.
Since coming out as nonbinary in 2019, Smith has become one of pop music’s most visible LGBTQ+ artists. Now, with a wedding on the horizon and an album celebrating the relationship that inspired it, the singer is embracing a new chapter built around commitment, joy and queer love.