Sam Smith ‘takes break’ from Twitter over Oscars spat
The singer is take a social media hiatus following his Academy Awards mix up.
Sam Smith has announced plans to take a break from Twitter after his recent Oscar faux pas, which resulted in a public spat with Dustin Lance Black.
“I’m logging off for a while. Some Martinis shaken not stirred are definitely in order,” he tweeted.
During his Oscar acceptance speech on Sunday, the singer claimed “that no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar” after seemingly mis-reading an interview with Sir Ian McKellen.
“If this is the case – even if it isn’t the case – I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community all around the world.”
Many were quick to criticise the singer’s mix up – with Black quick to lash out at Smith’s confusion (and texting habits).
“Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time to stop texting my fiancé,” the Milk writer wrote.
The singer – who picked up the gong for Best Original Song for his Bond theme ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’ – has now issued a public apology to Black – who is just one of several gay men to previously win an Academy Award.
Taking to Twitter the morning after his win, Smith claimed he was sorry for not brushing up on his Oscars knowledge before making his speech.
“Second openly gay man to win an oscar or third or fourth or 100th, It wasn’t my point,” he wrote.
My point was to shine some light on the LGBT community who i love so dearly.
“Apologies for the mix up @DLanceBlack I’ll be sure to check out your films now x Belated Congrats on the Oscar x.”
Smith is the latest LGBT Twitter casualty of the current awards season, after Stephen Fry fell victim to social media backlash following his BAFTA hosting gig last month.
Fry faced strong criticism after comparing costume designer Jenny Beavan to a “bag lady” when she picked up her Bafta for Mad Max.
The pressure seemed to have forced Fry off Twitter, as it appeared he had removed himself from the site.
