Sam Smith harassed in New York by Irish woman: "You belong in hell"

Ten days after a historic Grammy win for best Pop Duo/Group Performance and five days after the Brit Awards, Sam Smith touched down in JFK airport in NYC.

At first, all the news could focus on was the outfit Smith wore in order to blend in with the crowds. Compared to what they performed in at the Grammys, a red leather suit and red hat with devil horns and what they wore to the Brit awards, a black latex jumpsuit with an abnormal shape, it was rather "toned-down." Save for the neon pink sneakers, at least.

Then a video surfaced online of a woman with an Irish accent harassing the 'Unholy' singer. Sitting in a park in New York, the woman sits a few seats down from the individual recording. Sam Smith is standing across the pathway, dressed in one of their toned-down, monochrome outfits and sunglasses, minding their own business.

Her comments included telling Sam Smith they "belong in hell," calling the singer a "demonic, twisted, sick bastard," and throwing out accusations of pedophilia and grooming children - a tactic commonly used against LGBTQ people. Hot Press will not be sharing the video due to its sensitive nature.

By Michael Bailey Gates.

Combating the verbal harassment, one onlooker countered with the call "rumour!" to the pedophilia accusation. Another threw out "In the Lonely Hour is my favourite record!" over the yelling.

Smith resolutely ignored the woman, save for briefly recording the encounter, before quickly walking away from the screaming and exiting the situation.

It's not the first complaint about the GLORIA artist's recent work. Many have called their song 'Unholy,' and its' accompanying performances, a promotion of "Satanism."

The performance at the Grammys included Smith's devil themed outfit, worshipping back-up dancers, and Kim Petras, Smith's collaborator on the song, dancing in a cage. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received several complaints following the performance, some calling it "anti-Christian."

Online, countless critics have condemned them, not just for the use of devil horns on their Grammy and music video costume, but for their openness with their queer identity and presentation.

Others have congratulated them, expressing joy for the success of Smith's chart-topping new album, Gloria, and the musician's recent expressions of happiness and self-love.

Even with the incident in New York, the continued Satanism accusations, and people raging about Smith's use of the word "fisher-them" in an interview, Smith hasn't yet released any response to the incident. Instead, the Londoner seems to be ignoring the tirade.

Like the saying goes, living well is the best revenge.

Check out Sam Smith's recent cover issue interview with Hot Press here: