Keen to stay under the radar? Sam Smith goes low-key as he steps out in New York after quitting Twitter over THAT Oscars row

By Marc Jackson for MailOnline

Published: 15:11 EST, 3 March 2016 | Updated: 16:12 EST, 3 March 2016

His week has been busier than most, what with an Oscars win and the following backlash his acceptance speech caused.

So it's now wonder Sam Smith wanted to keep a low profile as he stepped out in New York on Thursday.

The Stay With Me hitmaker was spotted on a low-key stroll with a pal as he took time out in the Big Apple following the whirlwind last few days.

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Under the radar: Sam Smith seemed intent on keeping a low profile as he stepped out in New York on Thursday following his Oscars row

Under the radar: Sam Smith seemed intent on keeping a low profile as he stepped out in New York on Thursday following his Oscars row

Obviously wanting to remain under the radar as an Oscar winner, the 23-year-old sported a pair of shades to go incognito on the busy street.

His appearance in public comes after he quit Twitter on the back of his much-discussed speech at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

Smith became a target of criticism after he wrongly claimed to be the first openly gay man to receive an Oscar when he and and his writing partner Jimmy Napes accepted the prize for Best Original Song. 

The British star said: 'I stand here tonight as a proud gay man and I hope that we can all stand together as equals one day.' 

Moving on: The Stay With Me hitmaker was spotted on a low-key stroll with a pal as he took time out in the Big Apple following the whirlwind last few days

Moving on: The Stay With Me hitmaker was spotted on a low-key stroll with a pal as he took time out in the Big Apple following the whirlwind last few days

Shady: Obviously wanting to remain under the radar as an Oscar winner, the 23-year-old sported a pair of shades to go incognito on the busy street

Shady: Obviously wanting to remain under the radar as an Oscar winner, the 23-year-old sported a pair of shades to go incognito on the busy street

Back to reality: His appearance in public comes after he quit Twitter on the back of his much-discussed speech at the Academy Awards on Sunday
Back to reality: His appearance in public comes after he quit Twitter on the back of his much-discussed speech at the Academy Awards on Sunday

Back to reality: His appearance in public comes after he quit Twitter on the back of his much-discussed speech at the Academy Awards on Sunday

He continued: 'I read an article a few months ago by Sir Ian McKellen, and he said that no openly gay man had ever won 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.'  

Sam's faux pas caused a stir on Twitter, with fan Andy Herren saying: 'Do your homework, Sam Smith. LOTS of openly gay people have won Oscars. Gaga would have known that. #Oscars.'

Mistake: The singer caused controversy by claiming to be the first openly gay man to win an Oscar as he took to the stage to accept his golden stauette

Mistake: The singer caused controversy by claiming to be the first openly gay man to win an Oscar as he took to the stage to accept his golden stauette

An honor: Smith and his writing partner Jimmy Napes won the Best Original Song award at the Oscars on Sunday for their Bond theme 'Writing's on the Wall'

An honor: Smith and his writing partner Jimmy Napes won the Best Original Song award at the Oscars on Sunday for their Bond theme 'Writing's on the Wall'

Apologies: Smith directly responded to criticism from Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and promised to watch the writer's films which include Milk 

Apologies: Smith directly responded to criticism from Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and promised to watch the writer's films which include Milk 

Sir John Gielgud was the first openly gay actor to win an Oscar for his turn in classic 1981 comedy Arthur.

Among the other openly gay men to be awarded the top honor include Sir Elton John who took Best Original Song for Circle Of Life in 1994 and Alan Ball, who took honors for Best Original Screenplay for American beauty in 2000. 

One of the winners, 'Milk' screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, hit out at Smith in a tweet that included a link to his 2008 acceptance speech. 

'Hey Sam Smith, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time to stop texting my fiancé,' Black wrote, referencing his boyfriend, British Olympic diver Tom Daley. 

Following the controversy, Smith apologized for the mix-up on Monday and promised to see Black's films.

Logging off the social networking site, he told fans: 'I'm logging off for a while. Some Martinis shaken not stirred are definitely in order.'

Remember me? Dustin, 41, shared a video of his own Oscars acceptance speech from 2009 as he gave Sam a reminder about his own achievements 

Remember me? Dustin, 41, shared a video of his own Oscars acceptance speech from 2009 as he gave Sam a reminder about his own achievements 

Dustin Lance Black wrote another tweet on Monday morning, clarifying his thoughts on Smith's speech 

Dustin Lance Black wrote another tweet on Monday morning, clarifying his thoughts on Smith's speech 

Ouch: Dustin Lance Black (left) has accused Sam Smith of texting his fiancé, Olympic swimmer Tom Daley (right) in an epic social media put-down

Ouch: Dustin Lance Black (left) has accused Sam Smith of texting his fiancé, Olympic swimmer Tom Daley (right) in an epic social media put-down

Over and out: He told fans he was logging off for a while after the online backlash

Over and out: He told fans he was logging off for a while after the online backlash

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