Shawn Mendes Opens Up About His Sexuality: "I’m Just Figuring It Out"
Shawn Mendes has become candid regarding ongoing speculation about his sexuality. During an intimate concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on October 28, he addressed this topic while performing songs from his new album, Shawn.
"The real truth about my life and my sexuality is, man, I’m just figuring it out like everyone," Mendes shared, according to fan footage posted online. He expressed uncertainty about his feelings, revealing, "I don’t really know sometimes and I know other times. It feels really scary because we live in a society that has a lot to say about that." Mendes emphasized his desire to embrace his humanity, stating, "I’m trying to be really brave and just allow myself to feel things. That’s all I wanna say about that for now."
Mendes discussed how speculation about his sexuality began when he was quite young. "I think it’s kind of silly because I think sexuality is a beautifully complex thing," he explained, noting the difficulty in categorizing such personal feelings. "It always felt like such an intrusion on something very personal to me, something I was figuring out in myself."
Previously in relationships with Camila Cabello and Sabrina Carpenter, Mendes created a new song called "The Mountain," channeling his thoughts on public speculation into his music. While performing, he stated, "Writing this song felt really important to me. It felt like a moment to address this in a way that felt close to my heart." He expressed a desire to connect with his audience more deeply, saying, "I’m just speaking freely now because I want to be closer to everyone and be in my truth."
The song's lyrics allude to his journey with his sexuality, with Mendes singing lines that reflect on feelings of uncertainty. He remarked, "Some days, I have a change of heart / You can say what you need to say / You can say I’m too young / You can say I’m too old / You can say I like girls or boys / Whatever fits your mold."
Mendes has previously shared his frustration over rumors about his sexuality. In a 2018 interview, he revealed, "In the back of my heart, I feel like I need to go be seen with someone — like a girl — in public, to prove that I’m not gay." Despite knowing there’s nothing wrong with being gay, he felt compelled to validate himself.
He also recounted the impact of speculation on his mental health, stating, "I thought, ‘You f-ing guys are so lucky I’m not actually gay and terrified of coming out.’" Mendes acknowledged the sensitivity of such matters, marking the pressures around public perceptions and judgment.
Reflecting on the issue in 2020, Mendes labeled the speculation as "frustrating." He spoke about those around him who were closeted and his feelings of frustration and defensiveness on their behalf. He expressed empathy towards LGBTQ+ individuals navigating their identities and remarked on the difficulty of articulating his own stance, stating, "It’s such a tricky thing. You want to say, ‘I’m not gay but it’d be fine if I was gay.’"
