Sam Smith confirms engagement to longtime partner Christian Cowan after three years together
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sam Smith confirmed to The New York Times of being officially engaged to Christian Cowan after roughly three years together. The announcement comes less than a month before the release of his fifth studio album, 'Hazel Eyes,' which carries a personal tribute to their fiancé.
The pair was first spotted together in December 2022 but did not officially confirm their relationship until May 2024. Since then, they have continued to support each other’s professional journeys, with Smith often attending Cowan’s fashion shows and wearing the designer’s creations at various events.
Sam Smith reveals Christian Cowan inspired new music and relationship milestones
Smith told The New York Times that 'Hazel Eyes' is named after Cowan’s eye colour. He also revealed that they began writing the album’s opening track, 'Everlasting Love,' on the night before their first date with Cowan.
Unlike much of his previous catalogue, which often explored heartbreak and melancholy, the song marked the first time they had written: “about requited love.” The engagement announcement comes nearly three months after the couple attended the 2026 Met Gala together, where he wore a look created by Cowan.
Sharing photos from the event on Instagram, the designer described the outfit as “a love letter to the king of fashion illustration, and to my love, Sam.”
“I have always loved Erte,” Cowan wrote, adding, “I love the way he brought costume art to the world through his visionary illustrations. 255,000 individual crystals and beads. 2,000 hours of artisanal hand sewing.”
The duo was first spotted together when they posed for a photograph with former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden at the White House. Smith had performed during the celebration marking Biden’s signing of the Respect for Marriage Act.
The pair were subsequently seen together on several occasions, including a visit to a tattoo studio in Australia, before officially confirming their relationship in May 2024. Speaking to Vogue, Cowan explained that the metal-plated roses featured on their coordinated outfits referenced the beginning of their relationship at the Met Gala 2024.
Sam Smith and Christian Cowan kept romance private while supporting each other’s careers
Although the couple later confirmed their relationship publicly, Smith had previously spoken about wanting to keep their personal life private. In an interview with GQ UK in October 2022, the singer reflected on choosing not to share details of future relationships.
“Over the last few years, as I’ve become confident in my skin, I’ve got loads of wonderful romantic attention. It’s been incredible,” Smith said adding, “I’ve decided that I will always keep that private now.”
“I have had relationships where I’ve shared stuff online and talked about it here and there,” they continued, adding, “And I just don’t want to do that. I think being loved by someone is such a gift – for yourself. And I think my job can get in the way of that – the purity of that love – sometimes.”
Throughout their relationship, he has frequently supported Cowan’s work as a fashion designer. The singer attended Cowan’s first New York Fashion Week show on Valentine’s Day in 2023, sitting front row in a silver sequin coat layered over a red jumpsuit designed by him.
Later that year, he performed 'Dead or Alive’s You Spin Me Round' during Cowan’s Paris Fashion Week presentation, a tribute to the band’s late frontman Pete Burns. Smith has also regularly worn Cowan’s designs, including a custom look at the designer’s Winter/Autumn 2024 show.
