People watching the 65th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night called Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ performance “demonic” due to the satanic undertones.
The 2023 Grammy winner for best pop duo/group performance, the duo performed in front of a fire background and crimson lights.
The Hollywood Reporter said that Smith was surrounded by dancers who were using “props that had references to BDSM themes,” such as a horned helmet. Iconic Twitter user Ian Miles Cheong pointed out that the song “praises Balenciaga” by posting a screenshot of its lyrics.
After the performance, Petras, who is a biological male, stated, “I believe a lot of people, honestly, have kind of classified what I stand for and what Sam stands for as being not cool.”
And I wondered about religion and wanted to be a part of it growing up, only to learn that it doesn’t want me growing up,” Petras concluded. The author explains, “As a trans person, I’m kind of already not wanted in religion, so it’s a take on not being able to pick a religion and not being able to live the way that people may want you to live.”
Many internet viewers complained that the performance was too extreme.
This performance by Sam Smith is an ode to Satan, as writer Ben Kew tweeted. “I realize we on the right probably use the word satanic too much,” Kew said.
A political pundit named Liz Wheeler tweeted, “Don’t fight the cultural wars, they say. Meanwhile, Satan’s minions are converting your children into worshippers. I feel nauseous.
“People like Sam Smith who love to trash Christianity and employ Satanic themes always believe they’re very edgy artists by doing it,” commented Robby Starbuck. The truth is that it lacks any sort of edge. It’s the same old tired shock techniques that only the most wicked and ignorant Hollywood seals applaud.