Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicUPDATE: Following Sam Smith's public apology, Dustin Lance Black has some choice, lovely words for the Oscar-winning singer.
"@SamSmith Congratulations. Drink water. Rest. But do check out some of the other Gay Oscar work out there. Some truly wonderful stuff," Black wrote before adding, "This has proven to be a lively day on Twitter. From humor to anger. The former my intent... in defense of history. Much love to all."
Black had one final note to his Twitter followers to clear the air once and for all: "Dear Internet: @TomDaley1994 and @samsmithworld are pals. They text. Thus my surprise Sam took me for a closet case! Feel free to laugh."
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Sam is taking the high road.
The newly minted Oscar winner caused quite the digital uproar Sunday when he mistakenly suggested he was the first openly gay man to accept an Academy Award.
"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," he said at the Dolby Theater podium during his speech for Best Original Song. "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."
Despite his clear enthusiasm and gratitude, Smith had misspoken. Musicians Sir Elton John and Melissa Etheridge had taken home the statue for the same category years before the 23-year-old had ever stepped into a recording studio. Several other gay stars had earned Oscar accolades in various other non-musical categories. Dustin—an openly gay screenwriter who won an Oscar in 2009 for Milk—was quick to correct the singer among dozens of other media outlets and fans.
After an evening of partying, the Grammy winner emerged on social media to defend himself amid the swirling controversy.
"Second openly gay man to win an oscar or third or fourth or 100th, It wasn't my point," he tweeted Monday. "My point was to shine some light on the LGBT community who i love so dearly."
Instead of launching a Twitter war with the fellow Oscar winner, Smith was gracious and polite while issuing an apology to Black.
"Apologies for the mix up @DLanceBlack I'll be sure to check out your films now x Belated Congrats on the Oscar x," he added.
Even McKellen jumped to Smith's rescue on social media, asking the public to acknowledge his special moment.
"I'd said no openly gay actor had received #Oscars-that doesn't detract from @samsmithworld achievement. Congratulations to him & all others!"
Despite all the commotion, there would be no raining on Sam's parade—except for perhaps some after-party exhaustion.
"I can't put into words how I feel other than... Hungover and Insanely happy," he shared on Instagram.
We'll cheers to that.
(Originally published on Feb. 29, 2016, at 12:02 p.m.)