Pronoun emergency aisle 9

Thank god The Independent is on the important news.

Lorraine Kelly repeatedly misgendered Sam Smith while discussing the singer’s look for the Barbie premiere.

*gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasp*

Hosting her ITV daytime show Lorraine on Thursday (13 July), Kelly talked to guest Vogue Williams about the pink carpet hits and misses from Wednesday night’s (12 July) European premiere for Greta Gerwig’s movie.

While the majority of the guests opted for Barbie-inspired all-pink outfits, Smith – who has written a song titled “Man I Am” from the perspective of Ken for the Barbie soundtrack – went for a far more casual look.

What does “more casual than Barbie-inspired all-pink outfits” mean?

Discussing the outfit on Lorraine, Williams joked that Smith looked like they were dressed for an airport rather than a red carpet event.

They who? Smith and Barbie? Smith and the the guests in the Barbie-inspired all-pink outfits?

However, while Williams referred to Smith using they/them pronouns, Kelly referred to the singer repeatedly as “he” and “him”.

“It’s a bit big for him,” Smith said. “If he was my son, I’d be saying, ‘Son, that’s too big for you’… He’s going to stand out. He knows what he’s doing, does that fella.”

On Twitter, viewers branded the moment “awkward” and pointed out that Williams had looked uncomfortable during the segment.

How very important and significant and urgent and consequential.

In response to one critic on Twitter, Kelly insisted that her wording had been unintentional, writing: “Fair comment. Not in the least intentional but will take on board – thanks for bringing to my attention.”

That’s not insisting, it’s just saying.

The Independent has contacted Smith’s representatives, as well as ITV, for comment.

Oh thank god. I was afraid the whole thing might fizzle out because it’s so trivial and ridiculous.

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