Shawn Mendes took a significant step in his personal journey, opening up to fans about his ongoing exploration of his sexuality during a recent stop on his For Friends and Family Only tour. Performing at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, the Canadian singer-songwriter paused to address years of public speculation, sharing a heartfelt, candid perspective on an often-discussed aspect of his life.
“Since I was really young, there’s been this thing about my sexuality, and people have been talking about it for so long,” Mendes told his audience, adding that growing up in the public eye at age 15 made it difficult to explore his identity fully. “I think it’s kind of silly, because sexuality is such a beautifully complex thing, and it’s so hard to just put into boxes.”
The moment came just before Mendes performed The Mountain, a song that reflects the weight of external expectations through lyrics like, “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 shared that writing the song felt essential: “The song felt important to me because it allowed me to address things in a way that’s close to my heart.” He expressed a desire to be “closer to everyone” by speaking openly about his journey and embracing his feelings, despite the challenges of doing so in today’s society. “I’m trying to be really brave and just allow myself to be human and feel things.” He continued, “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. And it feels really scary because we live in a society that has a lot to say about that.”
This statement sparked a wave of support from fans, who applauded Mendes for his openness. He has long been vocal about the challenges of navigating public scrutiny over his personal life. In previous interviews, Mendes described this as a “frustrating” intrusion, noting the pressure he felt to address speculation that, to him, seemed trivial but was ultimately impactful to his sense of self.
The Mountain provides a meaningful outlet for the singer to communicate his complex feelings, and Mendes expressed that writing the song felt essential to him, saying, “It felt like a moment where I could address it in a way that felt close to my heart.”
With his upcoming self-titled album set to release on November 15, Mendes’ recent comments provide an intimate preview into the personal themes he’s exploring in his music, signaling a new chapter for the artist, both personally and professionally.
