Sam Smith announces engagement to fashion designer Christian Cowan

Sam Smith has announced their engagement to fashion designer Christian Cowan in an interview with The New York Times. The couple have been together for approximately three years, having first been publicly linked in December 2022 when they attended a White House event.

Smith's forthcoming fifth studio album, 'Hazel Eyes', takes its title from Cowan's eye colour and was substantially shaped by their relationship. The opening track, 'Everlasting Love', was initially written on the evening before their first date, with Smith completing it as the relationship developed. Smith describes the song as the first they have written about "requited love", marking a departure from their earlier work exploring heartbreak and unreturned affection.

The singer reflected on the emotional complexity of creating the record. "I feel all types of things all the time," they said. "In my happiest moments, I can get really sad." Smith also emphasised the deliberate effort to keep their relationship private, stating they had "kept much of the relationship away from public attention in an effort to protect it".

Smith and Cowan made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the 2024 Met Gala and appeared together again at this year's ceremony in matching outfits designed by Cowan. 'Hazel Eyes' releases on 21 August via Capitol Records UK, following Smith's 2023 album 'Gloria'. The album was created with a small collaborative group including longtime creative partner Simon Aldred, alongside contributions from Feist and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily, with recording at New York's Electric Lady Studios.