Lorraine Kelly, a veteran ITV host, found herself in hot water after a segment on her show where she misgendered singer Sam Smith multiple times.
The 63-year-old presenter was discussing red carpet fashion from the Barbie movie premiere in London, focusing on Sam Smith’s unconventional attire.
Sam Smith, 31, attended the event in a deliberately casual outfit, standing out against the glamorous Barbie-core theme.
The singer wore an oversized black sweatshirt paired with loose, light blue jeans, rejecting the doll-inspired looks of other attendees.
This relaxed style choice, however, was overshadowed by the controversy sparked by Kelly’s comments during her Thursday morning show.
While critiquing Smith’s outfit, Kelly referred to them as “he” and even called them a “fella,” causing an immediate stir.
She remarked, “Oh he’s dressed down,” and added, “It’s a bit big for him. If he was my son, I’d say, ‘son, that was a bit big for you.’”
Kelly continued, saying, “He looks like the wee shrinking man, bless him,” further emphasizing the incorrect pronouns.
Vogue Williams, a guest on the show, used Sam’s correct they/them pronouns, subtly highlighting the error during the fashion segment.
Despite Williams’ efforts, Kelly persisted, noting, “He’ll stand out. He knows what he’s doing does that fella.”
Viewers quickly took to social media to express their frustration, labeling the moment “awkward” and calling out Kelly’s repeated misgendering.
One fan posted, “I guess Lorraine didn’t get the memo about Sam Smith and their chosen pronouns, awkward.”
Another wrote, “Not Lorraine misgendering Sam Smith over and over! Vogue looked visibly uncomfortable!”
A third viewer noted, “She’s normally pretty good with this stuff. I’m sure she’ll be upset she got it wrong.”
Following the backlash, Kelly responded to a critic online, saying, “Fair comment Ollie. Not in the least intentional but will take on board – thanks.”
The incident reignited broader discussions about respecting non-binary identities and the importance of correct pronoun usage.
Sam Smith, who came out as non-binary in 2019, has been open about their experiences, facing both support and public hostility since embracing their identity.