Sam Smith is still catching heat over a video that went viral this weekend where he admits he isn’t the biggest Michael Jackson fan.
While vacationing with fellow singer Adam Lambert, the British pop star is heard saying, “I don’t like Michael Jackson, but this is a good song” while “Human Nature” played in the background.
Supporters of the “Stay With Me” singer quickly defended his right to share the unpopular opinion, but they were soon overwhelmed by Michael Jackson fans calling him out for being disrespectful, including R&B diva Stephanie Mills, who called Smith a “one-hit wonder” while checking him via Instagram.
Jackson’s nephew, T.J. Jackson, is the latest to defend the King of Pop, calling Smith’s comment, “ignorant, disrespectful and arrogant.”
“Sam Smith made a career on singing R&B/soul music. So to look into a camera and disregard one of its pillars is ignorant, disrespectful and arrogant,” brother Tito’s son said directly into the camera. “Everyone has opinions but @samsmithworld don’t disparage a soul pioneer when they helped paved the way for you and your music.”
He went on, “Anyone can like ANYONE they want. What bothers me is SS is a popular SOUL artist. So when he looks into ANY camera there is a good chance what is said will become public 1day. And for HIM to disrespect ANY classic soul Motown/Stax/etc artist publicly is arrogant. Period. #respect.”
Check out his tweets below.
