Sam Smith says they have ‘nothing but love’ amid coronavirus lockdown backlash
Smith was unfavourably compared to the 99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore, who has raised £15m for the NHS
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sam Smith has assured fans they have “nothing but love” amid a social media backlash that saw them unfavourably compared to a 99-year-old war veteran.
The pop star became a trending topic on Twitter yesterday (16 April) after sharing that they were feeling “shattered” and “a bit down” amid coronavirus lockdown.
Smith’s statements prompted a backlash, with Twitter users comparing them unfavourably to war veteran Captain Tom Moore. Moore has become a social media sensation after raising more than £15m for the NHS after successfully completing 100 laps around his garden.
On their Instagram, Smith appeared to reference their indifference to the backlash, writing: “Sending nothing but love to everyone out there today.”
Smith previously earnt support from fans as a result of the Moore comparisons, with many invoking the “#BeKind” hashtag that proved momentarily popular in the wake of Caroline Flack’s death in January.
“People on Twitter using Capt Tom Moore’s remarkable achievement to have a go at … Sam Smith,” one Twitter user wrote. “How quickly everyone forgets about Caroline Flack. If you don’t like someone, keep it to yourself.”
Another added: “The veteran raising £££ for the NHS is amazing & rightly being applauded. Using his achievement to troll Sam Smith & mock their suffering is disgraceful. Rich, successful ppl experience the whole spectrum of MH issues too … Remember #bekind?”
Backlash to Smith was stoked by Piers Morgan in March, who criticised a series of photographs posted by Smith in which they are seen holding their head in their hands alongside a caption that read: “Stages of a quarantine meltdown.”
“FFS,” Morgan wrote on Twitter. “I can’t take any more of this celebrity attention-seeking bulls**t. Get a grip, the lot of you.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments