British singer Sam Smith learned a valuable lesson over the weekend: Don’t ever come for Michael Jackson.
During a boat trip with fellow singer Adam Lambert and pals, Smith was caught on camera saying, “I don’t like Michael Jackson, but this is a good song.”
I mean, the nerve! The audacity!
Music fans were understandably miffed by Smith’s off-the-cuff revelation (especially since his sound is obviously influenced by Black artists like Jackson), but R&B legend Stephanie Mills went all the way off on the Grammy-winner.
“Don’t come for MICHAEL JACKSON when you wish you have sold as many records and you wish you were the King of Pop like he was,” Mills wrote on Instagram, launching into a scathing attack on Smith that he likely wasn’t expecting.
“I’m so tired of you people studying our music, and studying our artist and claiming that you don’t like our music,” Mills continued. “Go sit your 1 HIT WONDER ass down and learn how to finish a tour. When you can sell as many records as the king of Pop, Michael Jackson then maybe you can say something.”
Before ending her smackdown, Mills — who dated Jackson back in the 70s — gave Smith a warning: Don’t even think about responding.
“So I say to you Mr. Smith have several seats,” she commanded, “and come for me if you want to.”
Although some fans — like Mills — also came for Smith for his musical tastes, others defended the British singer on social media.
One fan wrote, “Not everyone likes the same music/artists. The world be boring if the world only liked or disliked the same things. You do you @samsmithworld.”
So far, Smith hasn’t responded and something tells me, he won’t.