Ricky Gervais has divided the internet after making a dig at Sam Smith’s much-talked about BRIT Awards red carpet outfit.
The singer hit headlines and inspired countless memes after wearing a black custom inflatable latex bodysuit from Harri with bulbous arms and legs to the star-studded event at the weekend.
Comedian Gervais, 61, weighed in by photoshopping his own head on the Unholy hit-maker’s body on Twitter, as he jokingly implied that Smith had been seeking attention by wearing the bold get-up.
“The Worst thing about being famous is the lack of privacy. I can’t even walk down the street without people looking and pointing,” he sarcastically captioned his post.
The worst thing about being famous is the lack of privacy. I can’t even walk down the street without people looking and pointing. pic.twitter.com/Sy2pFTEpeF
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) February 12, 2023
While a number of people liked and re-shared the tweet, some had a few choice words for Gervais and used the opportunity to remind him that Smith is no different to iconic stars like David Bowie - who Gervais was friendly with - in being creative and daring with their wardrobe choices.
“I must say, much as this guy isn’t my cup of tea, it doesn’t bother me what he’s up to. In fact, i only see things about him from older men who seem increasingly upset about what younger generations are doing. This stuff happened in your generation too. You do know that, grandpa?” Wrote one person on Twitter.
“Bowie was doing it in the 70s,” another added.
Another Twitter user wrote: “I agree Bowie is far far superior to Sam Smith in terms of talent that their talent can’t be compared. That’s not to say the idea of shock factor can’t be. Even Jagger used to wear dresses etc.”
Earlier this year, Smith opened up about the public reaction to their gender identity and the abuse they have suffered since announcing they use they/them pronouns.
Speaking to Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 to promote their latest album Gloria, Smith said that while they had largely been accepted by their nearest and dearest, the same could not be said about the general public, claiming that “someone spat at me like in the street. It’s crazy.”
