Singer Sam Smith, 34, has confirmed their engagement to fashion designer Christian Cowan, 32, after dating for more than three years. Smith, who uses they/them pronouns, shared the news Tuesday with The New York Times, referring to Cowan as their fiancé.
The couple's relationship news comes as Smith prepares to release their forthcoming album, "Hazel Eyes," on August 12. Smith told The New York Times that the album's title track is named after Cowan's eye color. The lead track, "Everlasting Love," reportedly marks Smith's first time writing songs about requited love.
"For me, there's something radical about being queer in this time, in this world, and singing love songs," Smith told the newspaper. "I'm not going to allow the poison that I read and that I see to affect my way of loving."
Reports of an engagement surfaced in May when an insider claimed to Page Six that the couple discussed their engagement just before arriving at the Met Gala. At the event, Cowan was seen wearing a large square-cut yellow diamond ring by Cartier on his wedding finger, a ring he also appeared to wear during his and Smith's Met Gala appearance. Smith, who was wearing a sheer black glove on their left hand, did not appear to be wearing a ring.
The couple began dating in late 2022 and made their romance public in May 2024 with their Met Gala debut. Cowan, a UK-born fashion designer, has created looks for numerous celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Paris Hilton. He designed both his and Smith's outfits for the 2024 Met Gala.
Earlier in their relationship, rumors of a split circulated after Smith's photos appeared on the dating app Raya. However, a source close to the singer denied these claims to the Daily Mail, stating the couple was "still very much in a relationship and haven't been on Raya."
Cowan has been instrumental in boosting Smith's confidence, designing custom outfits for the singer. For the 2024 Met Gala, Cowan created a dramatic black bejeweled opera coat for Smith, featuring intricate beading and faux fur trim. Smith described the heavy ensemble, which weighed 52 pounds and was adorned with 255,000 crystals and beads, as a "massive workout" but also said it kept them "more alert." Cowan stated the outfit was inspired by the opulence of the 1920s and was a tribute to fashion illustrator Erté, aligning with the gala's "Fashion Is Art" theme.
Smith and Cowan attended the Met Gala together for the third time as a couple in 2024, with Cowan designing their looks for all three appearances.