Sam Smith Details ‘Awful’ Skiing Accident: ‘Couldn’t Walk for a Month’

Sam Smith revealed details about a significant skiing mishap that left them unable to walk for a month in a recent episode of the "Sidetracked with Annie and Nick" podcast, aired on July 18. The singer, who identifies with they/them pronouns, tore their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the accident earlier this year. The injury, which Smith incurred while venturing onto a black slope on just their second day of skiing, necessitated their removal from the slope via blood bag, an ordeal they described as "the worst" experience. The ACL, a crucial tissue connecting the thigh bone to the shinbone, supports jumping and movement; thus, its complete rupture severely impacted Smith's mobility.

Opting for a non-surgical path to recovery, Smith shared that they were immobilized for a month, an "awful" period that also triggered significant anxiety. This was the first instance where they found themselves completely unable to move, serving as both a physical and a mental health setback. The experience prompted Smith to reevaluate their life, using the downtime as a catalyst to improve their mental wellness.

This wasn't the only major change for Smith; they also recently erased all previous contacts from their phone while securing a new number, further disconnecting themselves from past relationships. The decision extended to removing social media apps, enabling a more unplugged, nature-focused lifestyle.

In addition to their ACL injury, Smith has publicly grappled with broader mental health challenges. This includes managing anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, issues they openly discussed in a 2020 interview. Smith's dedication to self-care appears ongoing; they now try to reduce electronic light exposure by using candlelight before bed and focus on engaging environments without distractions.

Smith's health challenges aren't limited to their ACL injury. Last summer, a vocal cord injury also forced them to cancel tour commitments. Despite these setbacks, recent medical assessments show promising recuperation, suggesting they can continue with future tour dates.

Earlier, SSP wrote about 5 fascinating facts about the legendary Bob Marley.