Sam Smith: 'I want to be a voice for gay youth in difficulty around the globe'

Vocal sensation Sam Smith may be recovering from throat surgery, but he's not slowing down on his work load.

The 'Lay Me Down' singer told French magazine TÊTU that he wants to help people struggling with their sexuality and has set up a foundation to promote gay rights around the world: "I would like to become a voice for gay youth in difficulty around the world. I just created a foundation.''

Smith also confessed that people who don't know he's gay and enjoy his music might help to broaden their horizons and encourage them to be more accepting: "I like the idea that there may have homophobic guys who listen to my record and they have no clue that I'm gay!"

Earlier this month, Smith told Germany's Glamour magazine that he doesn't want to be known for anything 'scandalous' throughout his career: "Since I was eight, I've dreamed of being successful with my music. When I finished the album, I sensed it was something really special. But that doesn't automatically mean you'll be successful these days."

"In the music business, there's often this feeling you should also get attention by looking edgy, showing lots of skin and entertaining scandals. But I can't and won't offer that. I want my music to be enough to make people listen. Musicians like me are sadly in the minority, it's the scandalous celebrities that run this business."

Watch Smith's Billboard Music Awards acceptance speech here: