Sam Smith on fellow musicians: 'Some of these pop stars are just awful'

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Sam Smith has some harsh words for some of his fellow musicians in the upcoming February issue of V Magazine.

The 22-year-old singer appears featured in the magazine's music issue where he admitted that some of his biggest influences are Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Joni Mitchell, and Etta James.

"What I loved about her, which I try to do more of, is the rawness," he said of James. "She didn't care if her voice went a bit f---ed up here and there...people are so bothered at the moment about everything sounding perfect."

Later, the British performer shared his dislike for some other new practices in the entertainment industry.

"Even when you meet them. I won't name names, but some of these pop stars are just awful," he told Chaka Khan, who was interviewing him for the piece. "And they have not even had half the success that you've had and yet you're so humble and kind."

"Well, it's people skills," Khan told Smith. "Talking to a screen all day long takes the human experience out. Luckily I grew up in a time when we only had a telephone at home."

Smith's debut album, In the Lonely Hour, was released in 2014 and piked at No. 1 on the U.K. charts and at No. 2 in U.S. charts. The album is nominated for six Grammy awards including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.