Sam Smith just revealed Elton John gave him his drag queen name.
Smith made the revelation in conversation with BBC Radio 1’s Glyn Fussell, who hosts a show called Drag Queens’ Den.
‘Elton John actually gave me my drag name,’ he said. ‘His drag name for me was Anna Nicole Smith.’
He then added: ‘I did get a drag name book and I liked the name Rosie Cheeks.’
Smith also revealed he owns seven pairs of high heels.
‘I can hardly walk in them,’ he joked.
Sam Smith: ‘There’s a freedom to [drag]’
Smith’s first time in drag was in East London drag night Sink the Pink, actually with host Glyn Fussell.
Fussell revealed: ‘I remember that first experience… you being sat there with me and me just taking off my pants right in front of you and putting on a selection of different hats.’
Sam does Sydney | Photo: Instagram/samsmithworld
Smith then added: ‘My love for drag just grew from there onwards. For me, it’s all about alter-ego and growing up as a little gay boy who loves Britney Spears, Beyonce and Venga Boy, I would always love to dress up in my room and dance.
‘There’s a freedom to it and a comedy and a lightness. When the world is so heavy, it’s so freeing and beautiful,’ he said.
The episode, titled Caught in a Drag Romance – a play on Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance – also featured drag queens Grace Shush and Raven Mandella, as well as radio presenter Clara Amfo.
Listen to the full episode.
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