Shawn Mendes says he's 'just figuring out' sexuality
During a concert in Colorado on Monday, singer Shawn Mendes shared his thoughts on his sexuality, stating that he's "just trying to understand it like everyone else."
"I'm not always sure of myself, but sometimes I am. It can be quite frightening since we’re part of a society that tends to have a lot of opinions on the matter," he shared with the audience at the concert.
Based on videos shared by fans from the concert, Mendes expressed his thoughts right before he sang a new song that appears to be influenced by his feelings related to the rumors about his sexuality.
The Canadian artist has spoken out against this kind of speculation in the past, labeling it as intrusive.
While performing at Morrison’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Mendes mentioned that he had "taken a moment to consider whether he should say something tonight."
Encouraged by the audience, he went on to say, "Honestly, I missed out on many experiences typical for a 15-year-old and didn't have the chance to explore different aspects of who I am during that age."
He went on to say, “People have been discussing my sexuality for a long time, and it feels a bit ridiculous. I believe that sexuality is incredibly intricate and can’t simply be categorized.”
"It always seemed like a violation of something deeply personal. It was a part of my journey of self-discovery—something I was still working through and have yet to fully understand."
"The honest reality of my life and my sexuality is that I'm just trying to understand it all, just like everyone else."
He continued by discussing his upcoming track, The Mountain, which features the lines: "You might think I’m too young, or maybe too old; you could say I’m into girls or guys, depending on your perspective."
Mendes shared with the audience that creating the new song was significant for him because "it seemed like the right time to express my feelings in a way that really resonated with me."
"I suppose I'm just expressing myself openly now because I really want to connect with everyone and be honest about who I am," he mentioned.
In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, Mendes discussed the huge amount of attention surrounding his sexuality over the past five years.
The following year, he shared with the Guardian that the outside speculation had been "painful... It frustrates me when people make assumptions about me since I think about those who lack the support network I have and how that could impact them."
Mendes has released several number one songs in the UK, US, and Canada. One of his notable tracks is "Señorita," a collaboration with Camila Cabello, who he has also dated in the past.
