Sam Smith Wins for Best New Artist at the Grammys

Update: In September 2019, Sam Smith announced that they use they/them pronouns. This content was written in February 2015 before Smith publicly announced their pronouns.

Sam Smith won the Grammy for best new artist on Sunday.

The newcomer beat out some talented contenders – Iggy Azalea, Brandy Clark, Bastille and Haim – for the coveted prize.

“I’ve got to try and say something without crying,” Smith said while accepting the award, which was presented by Taylor Swift at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Swift told those who didn’t win the category to “shake it off.”

Smith’s debut album, In the Lonely Hour, was released in the U.S. in June.

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards, hosted by LL Cool J for the fourth year in a row, aired live on CBS.