Sam Smith's Parents Parted Ways Yet Played Their Roles in Their Son's Music Career

Sam Smith's parents and siblings were flown out to Los Angeles by the "Money On My Mind" singer to celebrate their first major award haul at an In-And-Out Burger in 2015. The performer showed up tired but satisfied on the set of "Ellen" the next day.

Frederick Smith and Kate Cassidy, Sam Smith's parents, were among the first people they thanked when they won the 2015 Best New Artist Grammy at 22. He called out his parent's and siblings' names to an audience of hundreds and raised the golden gramophone in their honor.

When the star, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, came out, their mother said that she'd known since the songwriter was three. However, the revelation worried their father.

Kate Cassidy

Mother of three, Kate, was the primary breadwinner in the household. She began her career in finance as a Barclays bank clerk, later becoming a bond dealer at institutions such as ABN Amro Bank.

Her improved work circumstances enabled the family to move from their two-bedroom cottage in rural Linton to a roomy $925 000 18th-century home in Great Chishill near Cambridge. Sam remembers the family's rise in circumstances with mixed feelings:

"The climb to money was sudden. We were doing nicer things, building, traveling around the world. But just as quickly as the decline. We were in a whole different situation."

From 12, Kate proudly let her son sing for guests at parties. In October 2007, she took a job at Tullett Prebon, earning close to half a million pounds a year. She was fired 11 months later for what the brokerage claimed was "gross misconduct" in September 2018.

They accused her of promoting 16-year-old Sam's music career on company time and resources and hiring a friend. The Englishwoman took Tullett Prebon to the High Court, countering that her employer had terminated her contract without giving her a fair hearing.

She hoped to recover $743 000 in salary, $1.6 million in bonuses, and $647 500 in share options. According to news reports, she got a settlement of $1.48 million, which a relative revealed, she used towards helping her son move to London to be closer to the industry.

Frederick Smith

During a school run, a backseat serenade from Sam of "My Love Is Your Love" by Whitney Houston had his parent's convinced that he had natural talent. They nurtured his gift by getting him singing and music classes, encouraging his ambitions to become famous. When the star was 18, their parents separated.

Coming out to his mother went smoothly, but his father needed to know if they were sure.

Frederick was a former van driver and ran a fruit and vegetable stand for a while. For the most part, he was a stay-at-home dad. Sam refuted Tullett Prebon's claims against his mum, "My dad, bless him, is the one who should get credit for that."

Sam Smith's father often drove over an hour to get the singer to Kilburn after school, where they worked on their early recordings. The "Stay With Me" singer cites their upbringing for their ability to write award-winning emotional lyrics. They told CBC Radio that her father is a compassionate man:

"My dad cries, my dad feels all the emotions, and he's open about his emotions. Me and my family, it's quite wild how we speak to each other; it's very vulnerable and sensitive."

Coming out to their mother went smoothly, but their fast-food-loving father needed to know if they were sure. Sam suspected their dad was scared they would get bullied at school due to his experience seeing queer kids singled out.

Frederick did not have a problem with his teenager dressing differently than their peers or that they wore makeup. He was "really worried" that it would lead to bullying. Sam was spotted in deep conversation with Frederick in March 2020 on a leisurely walk before going for brunch.