Sam Smith's Grammy acceptance speech for Best Pop Vocal Album proves he certainly has staying power.
The 22-year-old British newcomer hit the stage at the Staples Center to pick up his second trophy of the night, and quickly used his platform to promote a message of self-love.
"Thank you so much," said Smith. "I just want to say that before we made this record, I was doing everything to try and get my music heard. I tried to lose weight and I was making awful music. It was only until I started to be myself that the music started to flow and people started to listen. So, thank you guys for accepting me for being different."
This isn't the first time the "Stay With Me" singer has publicly shared his battle with body image issues. In a January Rolling Stone cover story, Smith spoke out about his insecurities, saying, "I just want to lose weight for the Grammys, if I'm honest."
"I'm just very body-conscious. Sometimes I'm really proud that I don't look like other pop stars. But there's also moments where I'm like, 'Ugh, I wish I had abs like Bieber.'"
But with his touching speech and earlier win for Best New Artist, Smith is now broadcasting tolerance instead of self-doubt.
Grammy attendee and upcoming Oscar host Neil Patrick Harris summed up the audience's reaction to Smith's sentiments, writing:
Watch Sam Smith's acceptance speech below:
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