When the Sam Smith Prom was announced, the ensuing backlash prompted the BBC to put out a statement reassuring people it would be “entirely appropriate”.
“Satanic” and “oversexualised” are labels thrown at a lot of pop stars — but few more so than the non-binary Stay With Me singer, whose music has amassed billions of streams and whose raunchy Grammy performance of Unholy earlier this year sparked a wave of conservative panic.
At a packed-out Royal Albert Hall, the 32-year-old addressed this moral frenzy: “Don’t worry, I’m not going to get my bum out. The clothes are staying on. This is going to be an appropriate show. Even I know there is a time and a place.”
Hence a double-breasted Vivienne Westwood suit, with just