“Is Shawn Mendes Gay?” – that question has followed the Canadian heartthrob since he first burst onto our screens with those swoon-worthy vocals and that irresistible smile.
Now, at 26, Shawn has a message for everyone obsessed with his sexuality, wrapped in what might be one of his most vulnerable songs yet.
During an intimate New York performance this week, the singer gave fans a preview of The Mountain – a track from his upcoming album – and let’s just say he’s not holding back anymore about those persistent rumors that have followed him for nearly a decade.
A History of Speculation
The “is he or isn’t he” discourse has followed Shawn since he first flashed that million-dollar smile and those shiny abs on our screens.
Despite his consistent statements about being straight (and that very public romance with Camila Cabello), the internet just couldn’t seem to let it go – which is understandable, when we’re dealing with someone this good-looking (and talented).
Back in 2018, a clearly frustrated 20-year-old Shawn opened up to Rolling Stone about the impact of these rumors.
“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,” he admitted, adding, “Even though in my heart I know that it’s not a bad thing. There’s still a piece of me that thinks that. And I hate that side of me.”
The speculation got so intense that he even had a panic attack during a screening of Love, Simon (though he later clarified it was actually about his single In My Blood).
And let’s not forget the time he woke up in a cold sweat after letting Taylor Swift post a video of her putting glittery makeup on him. Talk about pressure!
By 2020, Shawn was done playing nice. In a Guardian interview, he called out the “ridiculous” obsession with his sexuality, pointing out the real harm such speculation can cause.
“I know people who are gay who haven’t come out and I know the suffering they experience because of that. It’s just completely ignorant and insensitive of people to be on that sh*t.”
New Album, New Perspective
Fast forward to 2024, and Shawn seems to have found a more balanced way to address the constant gay chatter – by singing about it.
While Shawn’s self-titled album won’t officially drop until November 15 (following a slight delay from its planned October release), fans have already gotten a taste of what’s to come through three officially released singles.
But it’s the unreleased tracks that are causing the biggest buzz, thanks to fans who’ve been capturing footage at his intimate preview performances.
The Mountain, track number 10 on the upcoming album, has particularly caught attention after being filmed during a recent New York show.
During this week’s performance, Shawn opened up about the inspiration behind The Mountain:
“This next song is one of my favorites off the album,” he told the audience, before diving into a candid explanation.
“There was a time when I was in LA, and I was very anti what anyone thought of me… I usually never get annoyed about this stuff, but I felt like I was reading articles all the time about me. There was one that I was in a cult…
“I was being 25 years old for the first time in my life, and I was exploring, and I feel like everyone should if they can.”
The lyrics that followed speak volumes about his evolved perspective, addressing how people try to put him in boxes:
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
While the speculation clearly still occupies space in his mind – enough to inspire a song – there’s a shift in how he’s handling it.
Gone is the young artist who woke up in cold sweats over glittery makeup videos. In his place stands a more confident Shawn who seems to be saying: talk all you want, I’m going to keep being me.
Check out this fan-captured performance below:
@theliyahrich THE YOU CAN SAY I LIKE GIRLS OR BOYS?? had me gagged. #shawnmendes #shawnmendesvideos #shawnmendesfan #nyc
The new album, “Shawn”, is dropping on November 15, 2024.
h/t: Out.com