The 21-year-old pop singer Sombr has opened up about his difficult relationship with his body and food, telling Variety magazine that he has suffered from body image issues for years.
The artist, who has often championed sincerity in his music, explained that his relationship with eating remains complicated. He revealed that he sometimes dislikes eating and that doing so makes him want to vomit. He noted that he never knows what he wants to eat and does not get cravings. Before many concerts, Sombr said he eats practically against his will just to have the energy to get on stage, describing the situation as a lifelong struggle.
These emotions inspired one of his most personal tracks, My Body Isn't Ready. Sombr told the magazine he wants fans who look up to him and might not be happy with their bodies to understand that he is not always happy with his either. He added that reading a message from a fan who related to his experience nearly made him cry.
The interview follows an incident last year where the singer faced numerous comments about his physical appearance on social media. He publicly responded to people mocking his looks, stating he was the victim of a body shaming campaign and pointing out that he was simply existing. Sombr used the new interview to highlight the importance of discussing mental health and body image, particularly in an industry where physical appearance is constantly under the spotlight.
Record-breaking debut
The artist has quickly established himself as a major revelation in international pop rock. His debut album, I Barely Know Her, reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart just three weeks after its release. Sombr wrote every song on the album and co-produced nearly the entire record.
His rise was driven by hit singles including Back to Friends, which reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has accumulated more than two billion streams. His other releases include Undressed, Homewrecker, Potential and My Body Isn't Ready.
The singer's commercial success has been matched by industry recognition. Over the past year, he won the award for best alternative video at the MTV Video Music Awards and received a Grammy nomination for best new artist. He has performed at both the Grammys and the Brit Awards, and played major festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza.
His position in the top tier of the music industry was further cemented at the 2026 American Music Awards, where he was among the most awarded artists of the night. Sombr took home three prizes, winning favorite rock or alternative new artist, best rock or alternative album, and best rock or alternative song for Back to Friends.
Taylor Swift praise
Beyond chart numbers and trophies, the young musician has earned significant recognition from Taylor Swift. The influential artist has publicly praised Sombr's songwriting abilities on multiple occasions.
Swift first described his work as incredible during an interview. Later, at the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala, she said his writing is so exceptional that it makes her envious. She went on to define Sombr as the future of music, highlighting that he does everything himself without the need for artificial intelligence.
