‘Come on – seriously!’
Lorraine Kelly is being accused of “lazy journalism” for repeatedly misgendering Sam Smith while discussing the outfit the performer wore to the Barbie premiere.
Smith, who is non-binary and uses gender-neutral pronouns, turned up at the European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square, London, on Wednesday, in an oversized sweatshirt with 16 XL on it, and flared jeans that covered their feet.
The outfit was in reference to the all-inclusive film as the Mattel doll has been heavily criticised since its launch in the 1970s over its unrealistic body proportions.
While hosting her ITV daytime show Lorraine on Thursday, Kelly spoke to guest Vogue Williams about the pink carpet hits and misses from the premiere of Greta Gerwig’s film, starting Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
While the majority of the guests opted for Barbie-inspired pink outfits, Smith – who has written a song titled ‘Man I Am’ from the perspective of Ken for the Barbie soundtrack – bucked the trend, and went for a far more causal ensemble.
Williams joked that Smith looked like they were dressed for an airport rather than a red carpet event.
But while Williams used the correct pronouns to refer to Smith, Kelly did not. She referred to the artist as “he” and “him”.
She now joins the likes of Sir Bob Geldof, Richard Madeley, Ranvir Singh, Noel Gallagher and Katie Hopkins, to misgender the performer.
Kelly noted: “It’s a bit big for him.”
And: “If he was my son, I’d be saying, ‘Son, that’s too big for you’… He’s going to stand out. He knows what he’s doing, does that fella.”
The moment didn’t go unchecked on Twitter.
One commenter wrote: “I guess Lorraine didn’t get the memo about Sam Smith and their chosen pronouns, awkward.”
Another noted she had misgendered Smith “over and over”.
Williams, commenters suggested, looked “visible uncomfortable” and appeared to be emphasising the correct pronouns to help out her co-star.
Another commenter tweeted Kelly: “@lorraine I’m not sure if you are aware but Sam Smith uses the pronouns They/Them.”
Kelly was also accused of “very lazy journalism” for not getting Smith’s pronouns right, “come on – seriously!”
In response to one critic on Twitter, Kelly insisted that her wording had been unintentional, writing: “Fair comment. Not in the least intentional but will take on board – thanks for bringing to my attention.”
In 2019, Smith came out as non-binary and gender-queer, saying that they would be using they/them pronouns going forward.
Related links:
Sir Bob Geldof leaves This Morning viewers fuming after repeatedly misgendering Sam Smith
Noel Gallagher misgenders Sam Smith and labels them a ‘f***ing idiot’
Katie Hopkins labels Sam Smith a ‘dirty, disgusting, chronically ill guy’ in brutal rant
