Sam Smith Apologizes To Dustin Lance Black For Oscars ‘Mix Up,’ Offers ‘Belated Congrats’

Sam
Smith seems to have smoothed things over with Dustin Lance Black.

The
British singer made waves while accepting the Academy Award for Best Original
Song on Sunday, when he suggested he might be the first “openly gay
man” to ever win an Oscar.

“If this is the case – even if it
isn’t the case – I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community all around the
world,” Smith said from the stage. 

Sam Smith attends the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood
(Getty Images)

Black,
who took home the 2009 Best Original Screenplay trophy for “Milk” and
publicly announced his engagement to Olympic diver Tom Daley in October, corrected Smith on
social media with a terse message.  

“Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it
may be time to stop texting my fiancé,” he Tweeted, explaining his
position in greater detail hours later. 

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“THE POINT: knowing our LGBTQ history is important. We
stand on the shoulders of countless brave men and women who paved the way for
us,” he added.

Smith issued a mea culpa on Monday and acknowledged his
oversight.

“Apologies for the mix up @DlanceBlack,” he Tweeted. “I’ll
be sure to check out your films now.”

Adding, “Belated Congrats on the Oscar.”

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Black appeared to sweep the conflict under the rug and offered kind words
in return – along with a recommendation or two.

“Congratulations. Drink water. Rest. But do check out
some of the other Gay Oscar work out there. Some truly wonderful stuff,”
he replied.

In addition to his apology, Smith also said that he wasn’t
trying to focus on his own victory.

“Second openly gay man to win an oscar or third or fourth or 100th, It
wasn’t my point,” he Tweeted, adding, “My point was to shine some
light on the LGBT community who i love so dearly.”

During his Oscar speech, Smith cited “an article by Sir Ian
McKellen” in which he said the legendary actor had mentioned that no
openly gay man had ever won an Oscar.

McKellen
himself didn’t seem to mind being misquoted, and took to Twitter following the
ceremony to clarify Smith’s reference and applaud his victory.

“I’d said no openly gay actor had
received #Oscars,” he wrote.
“That doesn’t detract from @samsmithworld achievement. Congratulations to him & all others!”

— Erin Biglow

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