Shawn Mendes | Image: Instagram/@shawnmendes
Singer Shawn Mendes candidly opened up about his sexuality, stating that “like everyone,” he’s “just figuring it out.”
During a performance in Colorado on Monday, Oct. 28, Mendes made the comment before performing an unreleased song, which was said to be inspired by his feelings concerning speculations about his sexuality.
“Since I was really young, there’s been this thing about my sexuality, and people have been talking about it for so long and I think it’s kind of silly, because I think sexuality is such a beautifully complex thing, and it’s so hard to just put into boxes,” he told concertgoers.
The Canadian singer noted that figuring out his sexuality was something that was very “personal” to him.
“It always felt like such an intrusion on something very personal to me — something that I was figuring out in myself, something that I had yet to discover and still have yet to discover,” he stated.
Mendes remarked that he is speaking “freely” now because he wants to be “closer” to his supporters and speak his “truth.”
“The real truth about my life and my sexuality is that, man, I’m just figuring it out like everyone. I don’t really know sometimes and I know other times,” he declared.
“It feels really scary because we live in a society that has a lot to say about that. I’m trying to be really brave. And just allow myself to be human,” continued the singer.
Mendes — whose celebrity exes include Camila Cabello and Sabrina Carpenter — first addressed the allegations about his sexuality in 2018.
“In the back of my heart, I feel like I need to go be seen with someone — like a girl — in public, to prove to people that I’m not gay. Even though in my heart I know that it’s not a bad thing,” he told Rolling Stone at the time.
Fans on social media expressed their admiration for Mendes for speaking honestly about his feelings despite facing “cyberbullying” and having been constantly forced to “come out.”
Image: X/Instagram
“I’m not even a fan of Shawn. But this man has been harassed for what? A decade over his sexuality. He shouldn’t have to open up about anything if he doesn’t want to,” said one fan on X.
“Really proud of you for speaking your truth on your terms. Hate the fact that for many years people were forcing you to come out. Makes me embarrassed as someone who is in the LGBTQIA+ community, which should always be an inclusive, safe, and respectful place. I hope and pray that you find peace within yourself and not let any more people get in the way of your happiness,” wrote another fan on Instagram.