Sam Smith's performance at Sunday night's Grammys has caused a bit of a stir on social media - just days after the singer's latest music video was met with backlash.
Last week, the 30-year-old dropped their new music video for their new single, 'I'm Not Here to Make Friends', from their fourth studio album titled Gloria.
However, despite countless artists such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B all releasing provocative music videos throughout their careers, Smith's latest outing certainly drew the ire of many.
The video features Smith in various different outfits and exuding immense theatricality and confidence. In one particular scene, we see them performing with a bunch of scantily-clad dancers wearing only an underbust corset with bedazzled underwear and a matching tiara, as well as nipple covers and platform heels.
Smith has since addressed the backlash, and opened up about how the music video was created.
Nevertheless, following Smith's performance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards in LA, one word that has been mentioned repeatedly online is "satanic".
Check out Smith and Petras' performance below:Taking to the stage alongside collaborator Kim Petras, the duo performed their hit track, 'Unholy' - a single that would go on to win the Grammy for Best Pop Duo / Group Performance later in the night (with Petras earning a standing ovation for being the first trans woman to win the award).
And Smith and Petras certainly weren't shy when it came to their live performance - with Smith donning a bright red bodysuit and a top hat with horns. Throw in the cages, fire, red lights, and provocative dancing, and you just knew some viewers were losing their minds.
In fact, it wasn't long before viewers took to Twitter to accuse Smith and Petras of "Satanism", "witchcraft", and being part of the "Illuminati".
One Twitter user wrote in response: "Sam Smith and Kim Petras performing their disgusting song titled 'Unholy' at the 2023 Grammys. I didn’t want to post this video but I have to expose how satanic the music industry is. This is so demonic. Stop listening to this GARBAGE. It’s witchcraft! Seek Jesus."
Another added: "Sam Smith dresses as the devil in Satanic performance of 'Unholy' during The Grammys. This is exactly why nobody watches this s**t anymore. #Demonic".
A third wrote: "If as a Christian, you think we are reaching when we talk about the dominance and normalization of Satan worship in pop music, you need discernment. Sam Smith’s performance at the Grammy’s last night was satanic, gory. No, it’s not art; it’s symbolic of who they serve."
And a fourth tweeted: "This Sam Smith dude is a devil worshipper. This is why I said if you buy this fool’s garbage music you are an ungodly person who is against GOD. Hollywood is pure satanic garbage."
Sex and provocation have been a running theme in the music industry for decades now - so this really is nothing new. And we can only imagine that in a year's time, people will have found another music video to get angry at.
As Madonna - who has faced her fair share of controversy - said while introducing Smith at last night's show: "If they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative or dangerous, you are definitely on to something."
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